MONO JAPAN FOUNDATION

Through our activities over the years, we have been able to introduce many aspects of Japan’s craftsmanship and culture of manufacturing across wider audiences and in more depth, while simultaneously bridging this Japanese culture with Europe's unique design culture, creating significant international relationships.

In order to continue realizing our vision and to continue our operations, in November 2019 we registered Stichting MONO JAPAN, a non-profit foundation. Moving forward, as a cultural organization we aim to facilitate not only business opportunities but also creative and culturally-driven opportunities in the modern era.

About

MONO JAPAN FOUNDATION

BRIDGING CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

In the spring of 2019, MONO JAPAN ran its first Artist in Residence program, MJ AIR. The program has been made possible with generous contributions of Stimuleringsfonds, Embassy of the Netherlands in Tokyo and Municipality of Amsterdam.

In November 2019 the organisation became a foundation under Dutch law and works now under the name of Stichting MONO JAPAN. Stichting MONO JAPAN functions as an active platform moderator in establishing new Dutch-Japanese creative partnerships.

In 2020, MONO JAPAN moved its Artist In Residence (AIR) program for designers/artists in The Netherlands and traditional craftspeople/artisans in Japan to a digital platform. MJ ONLINE AIR was held from October 2020 to April 2021, the online meetings were archived on YouTube channel.

This program is supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL and The Embassy of The Kingdom of The Netherlands.

For interviews, guest lecture and talks, please send a mail to info@monojapan.nl

The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of five experts based in the Netherlands who are passionate about Japanese culture and aesthetics, and strive to promote these values in their respective fields.

  • Emiko Chujo

    Founder & director of MONO JAPAN

  • Arnoud van Aalst

    Museum Director, consultant

  • Erik Van der Molen

    Japanologist

  • Hanako Matsunaga

    Director of TAKUMI Craftworks, MJ team

  • Monique Zevenhuizen

    Art director of JAN and JAN Living magazine

MONO JAPAN 
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM 
2019

MONO JAPAN Artist in Residence program is a new venture of MONO JAPAN to promote cultural collaborations between Japanese craftsmanship and Dutch creative designers. Our aim is to become a platform for the 'special chemistry' between Dutch creators and Japanese traditional craftsmen, which will contribute to the visibility of Dutch design in the Japanese cultural sector and vice versa.

MONO JAPAN 
ONLINE AIR
2020

Stichting MONO JAPAN moved its Artist In Residence (AIR) program for designers & artists in the Netherlands and traditional craftspeople & artisans in Japan to a digital platform.

Rather than in physical co-presence, the Dutch and Japanese participants of the program will hold their meetings online. MONO JAPAN will edit and publish documentaries of the video recordings of the digital encounters.

MONO & TALKS

MONO JAPAN's first exhibition and online talk event in Tokyo on international creative collaboration

On October 15th and 16th 2021, within the grounds of Tokyo’s new landmark Tokyo Torch, MONO JAPAN and partner organisations held an exhibition during the Onland Craft Market entitled “MONO & TALKS,” showcasing international creative cooperation in the craft industries. While MONO JAPAN is based in the Netherlands, this was our first-ever official exhibition in Japan. At the same time, we held an online talk event connecting Japan and the Netherlands.