2025.10.31 　 Other Activities

72nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition Celebration and Konosuke Matsushita Memorial Panasonic Award Ceremony

#Japan Traditional Kogei -Art Crafts- Exhibition

Group photo with award recipients, newly admitted regular members, and Kinki Branch members

The Kyoto edition of the 72nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition was held at Kyoto Takashimaya from October 8 to 13. On the opening day, a celebration and the Konosuke Matsushita Memorial Panasonic Award Ceremony hosted by the Kinki Branch of the Japan Kogei Association and our Group took place in Kyoto.

The Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, the largest open-entry crafts exhibition in Japan, has been organized by the Japan Kogei Association since 1954.

Our Group began supporting the association in 1960, led by founder Konosuke Matsushita, who also served as the first Director of the Kinki Branch. Since 1979, we have presented the "Konosuke Matsushita Award" (later renamed the Panasonic Award) to artists based in the Kinki region who either won an award or were selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.

In 2024, the award was renamed the "Konosuke Matsushita Memorial Panasonic Award" and its scope was partially revised. In addition to the traditional prize for first-time selections, two new honors were established to recognize the achievements and contributions of branch members: the "Kinki Regional Exhibition First-Time Selection Award" and the "Kinki Branch Distinguished Service Award."

At the ceremony, Mr. Miyabe, Director of the Kinki Branch (former Executive Vice President of Panasonic Holdings Corporation), Ms. Kitagawa, Director in charge of Corporate Citizenship Activities at Panasonic Holdings, and a representative from the Kyoto City Culture and Citizens Affairs Bureau each delivered opening remarks. Four recipients of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Award, the Encouragement Award, and the New Artist Award from the 72nd Exhibition then gave speeches. Afterwards, Ms. Kitagawa presented certificates and supplementary prizes to the recipients of the "Konosuke Matsushita Memorial Panasonic Award."

Speech by Ms. Michiko Kimura, recipient of the MEXT Award (left), and her winning work, "Catching stars". Formed with tōso and covered with cloth and washi paper. (right)