[In Pictures] We - The Future Seen Through Craft

On September 1, 2019, Kyoto Seika University’s Center for Innovation in Traditional Industries hosted a symposium titled 'We—The Future Seen Through Craft.'

Although the theme was broad—the future of the world seen from the perspective of craft—we were fortunate to have 150 attendees at this event. Pre-registration was required to attend, and the fact that we had such a large turnout despite this extra step leads me to think that many people are interested in the main concerns of this symposium: what lies next for craft and our future, and how the two are connected.

The symposium took place over the course of four hours with 10 speakers. If you count the staff, there were approximately 200 people at the former elementary school, which now houses the Kyoto International Manga Museum. Inside a room that was once an auditorium, 200 people gathered to engage with and discuss a shared topic.

Initially I had planned to edit the transcript and publish only selected portions of it. But on the day of the symposium, as it was coming to a close, I began to feel a need to publish the transcript in its entirety as an unabridged documentation of the event.

There were numerous topics.
Many of them dissipated into the clouds of dialogue, without ever reaching a conclusion.
Panelists shared their stories in their own words, some eagerly, others more hesitantly.
I chose to share the full transcript because I wanted to convey the atmosphere and excitement of the day as much as I could. Please note that, as a result, some parts may be difficult to read or follow.

It is my hope that this record continues to inspire readers to give further thought and take action.

Yuji Yonehara

Director
Center for Innovation in Traditional Industries
Kyoto Seika University

We–The Future Seen Through Craft

Inaugural symposium hosted by the Center for Innovation in Traditional Industries at Kyoto Seika University and Kyoto Kougei Week 2019

Date and Time: 1 September 2019 13:00-17:30 (Doors Open 12:00 noon)
Venue: Kyoto International Manga Museum 1F Multipurpose Video Hall
Karasuma-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0846 JAPAN (former Tatsuike Primary School)
Host: Center for Innovation in Traditional Industries, Kyoto Seika University
Support: Kyoto Kougei Week Executive Committee
Cooperation: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan; Kyoto Prefecture; Kyoto City; Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Participation: Free / Pre-registration required