Special Exhibition
Photo by Shinji Otani
As part of our Cultural Programme, this special exhibition invites you to explore the creative fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and Dutch design.
Witness unique, contemporary works born from cross-cultural collaboration, where tradition meets innovation to inspire new possibilities.
Location:
Supernova hotel
Room No.302
About MONO MAKERS PROGRAM
The MONO MAKERS PROGRAM (MMP) is a collaborative initiative run by NN Life Insurance and MONO JAPAN, launched in 2023 to support young entrepreneurs in Japan’s traditional industries.
By bringing together Japanese traditional craftsmanship and international creative talent, the program encourages the development of products suited to contemporary lifestyles while helping participants build new sales channels in Europe and strengthen their brand visibility.
Rooted in the Netherlands, where NN Life originates, the program connects Japan and the Netherlands, supporting the next generation of leaders in traditional industries. Through this effort, MMP seeks to address social challenges faced by regional communities and industries, including the shortage of successors and population decline.
As the recent depreciation of the yen drives greater interest in overseas market expansion, MMP offers support in areas that are often difficult to reach. This includes partnering with Dutch designers who understand local trends and consumer needs, along with essential activities such as market research and test marketing.
Past Collaborations
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Maeda Woodworks × Carole Baijings (2022)
This collaboration between Maeda Woodworks, renowned for wooden sculptures such as danjiri, and Dutch designer Carole Baijings produced Plated, a series of carved wooden tableware, as well as Wooden Narratives, an art-piece collection that transforms two-dimensional paintings into three-dimensional works with a contemporary twist. The Wooden Narratives series was exhibited at the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, serving as a symbol of cultural exchange between Japan and the Netherlands. -
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Oue Co. × Mae Engelgeer (2023)
Japanese washi wholesaler Oue Co. and Dutch designer Mae Engelgeer explored the potential of washi as a form of vegan leather, developing interior items such as cushions and small cases made from washi. Through this collaboration, the material was redefined, not as “just paper,” but as a craft material rich with possibilities shaped by traditional techniques and cultural heritage, raising the perceived value of washi through the lens of Dutch design. -
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Kansai Makitori Haku Industry Co., Ltd. × Sigrid Calon (2024)
Kansai Makitori Haku Co., Ltd., whose origins lie in producing gold-leaf paper for Nishijin weaving threads, partnered with Dutch artist Sigrid Calon to explore new possibilities beyond their OEM-focused business. Together, they created the HAKU-HAKU Creative DIY Toolbox, a product combining transfer foil, washi, and paper boxes with refined art direction, reimagining these materials as accessible items for the general public.
Photo by Shinji Otani -
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kiten.KYOTO × Laura Luchtman (2024)
Kiten.KYOTO, the in-house brand of the long-established KatouKen Flag Shop—renowned for producing flags and noren that represent businesses—collaborated with Dutch textile designer Laura Luchtman to develop TOZAI, a collection of dyed textiles including indoor gowns and bags. The series draws on the traditional craft techniques of flag and noren, reimagined for contemporary use.
Photo by Shinji Otani
