Japanese Style: Sustaining Design presents work of Japan’s leading ethical designers, artists, ceramicists, applied art makers and architects.

Rooted in sustainable design, the diverse work in this exhibition demonstrates the vital contribution aesthetics and community make in maintaining our fragile environment. This progressive approach to design is even more critical for a population when recovering from the destruction caused by a natural disaster.

The entire craft centre is set aside to Japanese work.

Gallery One Reiko Sudo and NUNO
(co-organised with the Embassy of Japan)

Founded in 1984, NUNO is a textile and clothing design house, under the Artistic Direction of Reiko Sudo. NUNO designs respond to the human form and reflect the importance of cloth for protecting and adorning the body.

For the exhibition in Wales, the designer Kazuhiro Ueno has worked with Reiko Sudo and the UK designer Greg Parsons on a textile installation that features washi paper from the Mino district of Japan integrated with NUNO textile. NUNO'S collaborations with desingers in Japan and the UK make this project truly international.

Nuno Tsunagi

Gallery Two Kagure, sustainable craft

Kagure is an ethical design business based in Tokyo, profiling the best craftspeople working in Japan today: indigo-dyed textiles by Tomoko Suzuki, beautiful hand-made knives from Yasuto Suzuki of Omoto, ceramics by Yasutake Konno, Chie Kodaka, Eiji Matsumura and Morito Tatsuruhama, iron and wood craft by Starnet and Takeshi Unno, wooden objects by Kei Kashiwagi, bamboo pieces by Saya Okihara, Kazuho Shimomoto and Yoshiko Endo, and baskets by Shoichi Nishiyama.

Hand made knives from Yasuto Suzuki of Omoto

Gallery Two, Takahiro Kondo Ceramics

Kondo’s ceramic work is for the charity he established - INCOCHI NO UTSUWA. Kondo’s approach uses the function of making everyday ceramic objects as a process to help communities.


Gallery Three, The Hale Collection of Tohoku Ceramics

The Hale Collection of Japanese ceramics from the Tohoku region is a unique private collection, which was acquired by Anne and David Hale during their time in Sendai, Japan.

Hale collection of Tohoku Ceramics

Studio 2,3 and 5 Japanese Architecture

Japanese architecture has been a source of inspiration for architects throughout the world. The exhibition profiles the work of three architectural practices which are totally committed to sustainable development. In three of the Centre’s studio spaces are: Kazuya Morita, Tono Mirai and Studio Archi Farm.


Ruthin Retail Gallery, Japanese Pop-up Shop

UK based Japanese makers exhibit and sell their work in a specially designed pop-up shop. This includes new ceramics by: Akiko Hirai, Ikuko Iwamoto, Koji Shiraya, Tatebayashi and Yo Thom; Accessories by Kei Ito, Hikaru Noguchi, Keiji Otani and jewellery by Mariko Sumioka.

Tono Mirai, House for stories