Our Vision

We aim to connect the cultural sectors in Japan and Europe through the celebration of contemporary craft and design.

About

WHAT WE DO

MONO JAPAN started as an organisation that introduces carefully curated selection of modern Japanese artisanal products and makers to the Dutch and European audience.

Its activities consist of organising a yearly artisanal design fair from products of Japanese craftspeople and (small) companies as well as holding workshops, lectures and discussions to initiate and facilitate collaboration between Japanese and European artists and designers.

  • In the spring of 2019, MONO JAPAN ran its first Artist in Residence program, MJ AIR. The program has been made possible with generous contributions of Stimuleringsfonds, Embassy of the Netherlands in Tokyo and Municipality of Amsterdam.

    In November 2019 the organisation became a foundation under Dutch law and works now under the name of Stichting MONO JAPAN. Stichting MONO JAPAN functions as an active platform moderator in establishing new Dutch-Japanese creative partnerships.

    In 2020, MONO JAPAN moved its Artist In Residence (AIR) program for designers/artists in The Netherlands and traditional craftspeople/artisans in Japan to a digital platform. MJ ONLINE AIR was held from October 2020 to April 2021, the online meetings were archived on YouTube channel.

    This program is supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL and The Embassy of The Kingdom of The Netherlands.

  • The cultural programme during the MONO JAPAN fair is programmed by Stichting MONO JAPAN and will include exhibitions, demonstrations, film screenings, lectures, workshops about Japanese traditional crafts and culture.

Board Members

  • Emiko Chujo

    FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
    MONO JAPAN FAIR

  • Erik Van der Molen

    JAPANOLOGIST

  • Hanako Matsunaga

    DIRECTOR TAKUMI Craftworks