Pokémon × Kogei: Playful Encounters of Art and Japanese Craft art exhibit opens in Los Angeles in U.S. debut

Following its launch in Japan earlier this year, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, under the supervision of the National Crafts Museum, has brought the Pokémon × Kogei art exhibit to the United States, for a run that is scheduled to last until January 7th, 2024. JAPAN HOUSE, an international gallery which “seeks to foster awareness and appreciation for Japan around the world by showcasing the emerging art of the very best,” reports that the exhibit will feature more than seventy pieces by a variety of Japanese artists, such as metal artist Morihito Katsura. Twenty acclaimed artists’ work is on display now, and pieces will be rotated during the duration of the exhibit. Admission to the gallery is free and can be reserved online, or guests can walk in as space allows.

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This collaboration between The Pokémon Company and the National Crafts Museum of Japan is a celebration of traditional Japanese crafts and features pieces in stencil-dyed silk, ceramic, and as noted, intricate metalwork, among others.

“This unique collaboration answer the question, ‘What happens when Pokémon meets kogei?’ for art enthusiasts and gamers alike,” said . “We’re excited to present this unique collaboration with exceptional artists and artworks showcasing the rich world of Japanese craft through the global phenomenon of Pokémon appreciated by all ages around the world.”

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The art book of the installation can be purchased from JAPAN HOUSE's WAZA showroom, and their online shop. This is the same art book that was previously available during the exhibition's original run at the Japanese National Crafts Museum in Kanagawa earlier this year. The special Kimono-wearing Pikachu plush released alongside that original exhibition, "The Pokémon Plush: Pokémon x Kougeiten Craft Exhibition – Pikachu", is now also available for purchase from Pokémon Center Online in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. The design of the Kimono is a traditional Japanese pattern called Kōjitsunagi.

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"The talented artists behind the POKÉMON X KOGEI exhibit bring the Pokémon world to life in a never-before-seen way while honoring traditional Japanese artistry in each piece. Our collaboration with JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a unique platform to celebrate Japanese culture, as well as the artists, for fans of both the Pokémon brand and art. We’re honored to have the Pokémon brand be featured in this way and leverage its modern-day popularity to share the incredible legacy of Japanese craft with new audiences in the US.”