Shakai Design Co., Ltd. will release “2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo Officially Licensed Product” “EXPO2025 Maneki Neko LH”
Shakai Design Co., Ltd. Press release: October 25, 2024 Shakai Design Co., Ltd. will be releasing “2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo Officially Licensed Product” “EXPO2025 Maneki Neko LH” A new form of “life” born from Wajima and Takaoka. This product is an officially licensed product of the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo 2025 “Inochi Shining Series”.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-53a884bd34937190cfefd452571f18a8-1000×1000.jpg EXPO2025 Maneki Neko LH (C)Expo 2025 Japan’s traditional industries are a beacon in terms of sustainability. Wajima, one of Japan’s leading lacquerware production areas, was also affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and about 80% of the approximately 1,000 craftsmen left the area. Even in Takaoka, where Maneki Neko is manufactured, there are only a handful of lacquerware craftsmen, and some of the traditional techniques of the region are already difficult to reproduce. Maneki Neko connects craftsmen who left Wajima due to the disaster with craftsmen in Takaoka, and uses a hybrid of traditional techniques and cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printers and laser cutters. The future shape of sustainable
traditional crafts is expressed.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-517cf93a6ff8fe4298f3579b39dd9bcf-783×500.jpg (C)Expo 2025
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-1a72e9904a0800147d6dddd50c6cd77a-1500×500.jpg @EXPO 2025
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-32165617da03849c8980e26756f7e8a0-3900×3900.jpg (C)Expo 2025 Co-creation of craftsmen from Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture and Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture Kotaro Kunimoto, the general producer, pursues new possibilities for lacquer art by transcending the boundaries of production areas and using a hybrid of cutting-edge technology and traditional lacquer painting. Additionally, Mayu Urade, who collaborated with Wajima craftsmen, has been spreading the word about the appeal of Wajima lacquerware with the aim of reviving the dwindling traditional industry since before the earthquake. Producers from these two production areas connected artisans and craftsmen from Takaoka and Wajima to create a new “life.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-079f44e6c7f87fdd45bd810bdd458708-2448×1144.jpg (C)Expo 2025
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D42rLh1F-LQ (C)Expo 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo Design Elements (WORLD) The Osaka/Kansai Expo’s design element (WORLD), expressed in mother-of-pearl, represents the future of sustainable traditional crafts through the co-creation of individual artisans and craftsmen rooted in the production areas and the hybridization of traditional and future technologies. It expresses the shape of. The beauty that comes from the fusion and resonance of different things strongly resonates with the concept of the Expo, which aims to lead us to a new future.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/54205/6/54205-6-51b158e0e4556551cbb4afcdef061793-2377×1785.jpg (C)Expo 2025 Three proposals through Maneki Neko Future manufacturing of traditional crafts and cutting-edge technology This is a new era of art and crafts that combines cutting-edge digital technology and artisan craftsmanship, and we offer proposals for future manufacturing that utilizes traditional crafts. (Weaving life, expanding life, refining life) Value creation by craftsmen from different traditional craft production areas We create new value by breaking down the barriers between production areas and collaborating with craftsmen. (enhance life) A beckoning cat that expands the circle of good fortune A lucky cat. It is said that the raised left hand has the meaning of attracting customers, the black color is a talisman, and the lacquer color means lucky 7. We make this with all our heart, hoping to spread the circle of good fortune around the world. We aim to create a society where everyone can share their feelings widely, think about the way they want to live their lives, and realize their full potential. We hope that Manake Neko will become a symbol for realizing a sustainable society. Project team [Director] Shakai Design Yohei Udagawa (Tokyo) [General Producer (Takaoka)] Lacquerware Kunomoto Kotaro Kunimoto [Producer (Wajima)] Nushiya Co., Ltd. Mayu Urade [Modelist] TAPP Co., Ltd. Tappei Maruyama (Imizu) [Lacquer
(painting/decoration)] Craftsmen of Wajima [Lacquer (screw)] Musashigawa Kobo Tsuyoshi Musashigawa (Takaoka) ■Specifications Product size: Height 11cm Width 7cm Height 6cm Materials: resin, lacquer, tin powder, abalone shell Price (excluding tax): 92,833 yen (This is the number that connects the postal codes of Wajima and Takaoka) ■Sales page
https://teshigotoclub.com/products/expo2025-maneki-neko-lh (C)Expo 2025