KOGEI
Connecting the world to Japan’s living craft traditions
Ceramics · Bamboo · Washi · Woodwork · Glass · Textiles · Lacquer
Establish KOGEI as a globally recognized category
Japan’s craft traditions — ceramics, bamboo, washi, woodwork, glass, textiles, lacquer and beyond — represent centuries of living artistry, shaped by nature and philosophy.
Our ambition: make Kogei a global word — just as Wagyu and Manga became global words. We believe Kogei is already profound. Our role is to create the context that allows the world to perceive what already exists.
無為 — Acting in Harmony with Natural Flow
"Effortless action" — the Taoist principle of acting in accord with nature. Our philosophy is not to impose, but to reveal. We believe Kogei is already profound. Our role is to create the context that allows the world to perceive and appreciate what already exists.
Why Kogei Now?
AI and mass production have flooded the world with identical content and objects. Handmade, place-specific, irreproducible work is now genuinely rare — and commands a premium.
Urbanization has severed the transmission of craft techniques. Over 80% of Japan’s traditional craft lineages will disappear within a generation without active cultural intervention.
Wagyu, Manga, anime — Japanese culture crosses borders when properly contextualized. The infrastructure for global Kogei appreciation is now in place.
The Opportunity Landscape
The World’s Leading Brands Are Embracing Craft
Major luxury houses are already investing in Kogei — validating the cultural and commercial opportunity.
Craft Prize — international competition elevating Kogei to a high fashion audience
Métiers d’art collections and direct investment in specialist ateliers preserving traditional savoir-faire
"Métiers d'Art" — annual celebration of traditional craft heritage
Japanese artisan collaborations fusing gold work with traditional lacquer
Group-wide commitment to artisanal excellence — from Louis Vuitton trunk-makers to Loro Piana weavers
Kogei Award — Japan’s largest financial group recognizing and funding master artisans and craft preservation
10 Interconnected Activities
Building kogei into a global cultural category through events, media, education, commerce, and institutional partnerships.
How It All Connects
Three-Year Roadmap
- Moss Kogei Kyoto (October)
- Popups: NYC, Paris
- Kogei Award launch
- EC site + content launch
- Kogei Experiences pilot
- B2B outreach begins
- Original Products v1
- Moss Kogei Kyoto vol. 2
- Moss Kogei Paris launch
- 4 Popups (NYC, Paris, Dubai, +1)
- eLearning platform launch
- Award vol. 2 (4 categories)
- B2B contracts secured
- Experiences expanded
- Kogei Cultural Complex begins
- Patron Membership launch
- Moss Kogei Kyoto vol. 3
- Moss Kogei Paris vol. 2
- eLearning scaled (20+ courses)
- Full B2B pipeline
- Government partnerships
The Partnership
Mui is the partnership between Ota and Vartanian, built on a long-established rapport from executing high-stakes cultural projects together. They transfer skills from editorial, event production, festivals, and global merchandising to the Kogei sector.
Freelance editor, curator, and publisher. Launched IMA in 2012 — Japan’s leading art photography magazine. Oversees IMA online, IMA Photobooks, and international festivals.
Tokyo-based editor, curator, and author internationally recognized in photography and art publishing. Founded Goliga in 2004. Connects Japanese and international photographic culture through publishing, exhibitions, and workshops.