This autumn, Norwich welcomes Okinawan Kogei: Crafting Continuity and Change — a landmark cultural event introducing the vibrant traditions and contemporary expressions of Okinawan craftsmanship to UK audiences for the very first time.

The exhibition brings together eight leading artists from Okinawa Prefectural University of the Arts, presenting works in weaving, bingata dyeing, ceramics, and lacquerware. These works highlight the richness of Okinawa’s Ryukyuan heritage while showcasing its innovative modern developments. Visitors will encounter the artistry of:

• Hanashiro Miyako (weaving)
• Kubota Hiroko (weaving)
• Nago Tomokazu (bingata dyeing)
• Ura Kyōko (bingata dyeing)
• Yamada Satoshi (ceramics)
• Shimabukuro Katsushi (ceramics)
• Tōma Shigeru (lacquerware)
• Matsuzaki Shinpei (lacquerware)

In addition to the exhibition, a hands-on craft workshop and a public lecture by Professor Kobayashi Junko will offer opportunities to engage directly with Okinawan art and culture. These events will foster dialogue between Okinawan artists, Norwich communities, and students from both regions, encouraging new cultural and academic connections.

Curated by Dr Eriko Tomizawa-Kay (University of East Anglia), in partnership with Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, and Norwich University of the Arts, the project highlights Okinawa’s distinct cultural identity and broadens the scope of Japanese Studies in the UK.

Okinawan Kogei: Crafting Continuity and Change is more than an exhibition — it is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and cross-cultural exchange, offering UK audiences a rare opportunity to discover the depth and diversity of Okinawan craftsmanship and its place in the global art world.

Exhibition at the Crypt Gallery, Norwich.

Daily opening times can be found on the Crypt Gallery website.

Free admission.

Lecture at Duke Street Lecture Theatre, Norwich University of the Arts.

Monday 3 November, 17:00 GMT

Free admission.

Workshop at Norwich University of the Arts.

Saturday 1 November, 10:00 & 14:30 GMT

Free admission.