Kyoto, Japan – May 2023 – Karafuneya Co. Ltd., an esteemed Kyoto printing company with over a century of history, is proud to announce the launch of the Kogei Art Kyoto e-commerce site. The website, available in English, aims to introduce art enthusiasts from around the globe to the captivating world of Kogei art and offer the opportunity to purchase Kogei art objects complete with NFT certificates.
Kogei art encompasses a diverse range of traditional Japanese genres, including dyeing and weaving, ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, dolls, cut gold leaf, woodwork, and glass art. These art forms have been developed through a deep reverence for Japanese culture, embracing the spirit of elegance, compassion, and good taste, as well as the concepts of wabi and sabi found in Buddhism and traditional pursuits such as the tea ceremony, flower arranging, and incense ceremonies.
The term “Kogei art” is typically reserved for one-of-a-kind artworks that highlight the value of materials and techniques. Kogei artists skillfully blend ancient techniques passed down through generations with modern sensibilities, creating exquisite and unique pieces that starkly contrast to the world of AI and digital technology.
Kogei Art Kyoto is operated by Karafuneya Co. Ltd., a printing company deeply rooted in Kyoto’s history for over a century. The e-commerce site embraces the concept of the Japonism of Beauty and is tailored to art lovers worldwide, with its user-friendly English interface. The website showcases 50 Kogei artworks from 10 talented artists affiliated with the Kyoto Kogei Association, offering art enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase these remarkable pieces. The artworks have an average price of approximately US$16,000, with the most valuable piece priced at around US$56,000 as of May 23, 2023.
In addition to the e-commerce pages, Kogei Art Kyoto provides comprehensive information to illuminate the allure of Kogei art from various perspectives. Engaging videos showcase artists at work and offer personal messages, providing insights into the fields of ceramics, dyeing, lacquer, dolls, and cut gold leaf.
A significant feature of the Kogei Art Kyoto e-commerce website is the inclusion of NFT blockchain certificates for all artworks. Karafuneya Co. Ltd. collaborates with Startbahn Inc., utilizing the Startrail platform (https://startbahn.io/startrail/) to issue and manage these certificates. This ensures the artwork’s authenticity and provides added value and protection to both the artist and the buyer.
The website also offers an automated shipping cost calculation for each artwork specific to the buyer’s designated country. Karafuneya Co. Ltd. provides complete services through their online shop, including professional packing and shipping by experienced staff members well-versed in shipping artwork internationally.
Looking to the future, Kogei Art Kyoto aims to preserve the techniques and spirituality that lie at the core of Kogei art for future generations. As part of this commitment, the website seeks to leverage the opportunity presented by the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, to provide a platform where people worldwide can directly experience and purchase Kogei artworks.
To celebrate the launch of the Kogei Art Kyoto e-commerce site, a set of original Kogei Art Kyoto postcards will be gifted to all site members who register.
About Karafuneya Co. Ltd.:
Established in 1921, Karafuneya Co. Ltd. is a printing company located in Kyoto, Japan. Over the years, the company has embraced technological advancements and expanded its services to include web development, e-commerce systems, electronic books, and digital catalogs. Leveraging their expertise and networks, Karafuneya Co. Ltd. has ventured into the world of Kogei art with the aim of spreading awareness and creating a market for these exquisite works, thereby preserving the rich traditional heritage of Kyoto’s Kogei art for generations to come.
