The 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic has upended our previously privileged lives and disrupted our daily routines. Going out, chatting with friends and family, and even dining are severely restricted, as stifling as you might see in a post-apocalyptic B-flick.

It drives us to prioritize safety and security above all. And yet, when we consider how long this might yet continue, we begin to realize that restoring a sense of spiritual fulfillment in our daily lives has also become an important issue.

In Japan, we have the term, "coronavirus depression," for the effect of being mentally
overwhelmed after prolonged anxiety. Physical security is not enough; our emotional needs must also be satisfied. We need a life of joy, especially the kind of joy found in the ordinary.

And it is culture that adds definition to our lives. In emergencies such as this, culture is often neglected, yet, as the situation lingers, we are compelled to reevaluate it. Craftwork in its many forms has always been an art form closely connected with daily life. Take cuisine as an example: More than merely satiating hunger, the act of eating becomes all the more satisfying and pleasurable when presented aesthetically. It is the chef's skill at work. Likewise, shouldn't our living in such a time as this require us to rediscover the joy of craftwork and incorporate it into our lives?

Although "Go for Kogei" will not see all of its originally planned programs take place, we will still have many activities through which we will share all we love about kogei craftwork. Explore the craft festivals and studio tours us while practicing social distancing. Or, for those unable to visit in person, we offer a plethora of information on our website. In whichever way you choose to join us, physically or virtually, we hope you will "Go for Kogei."

One of the most internationally well-recognized aspects of Japanese culture is that of kogei. In recent years, kogei-centered projects have increased in both number and media coverage.
As art and industry, this craftwork has always expressed regional characteristics, such as the traditional techniques, available materials, the environment's humidity and temperature, and even the reach of markets and trade. Hokuriku, known as "The Land of Excess," developed its crafts from the abundant resources in the surrounding mountains: clean water, minerals, rich soil and vegetation; and has since ancient times been active in overseas trade. With the extension of Japan's bullet train to Fukui Prefecture and the upcoming Olympics, how shall we share such diverse and high-quality craftwork both domestically and internationally? With "Go for Kogei."

Already, many unique craft festivals featuring pieces with local characteristics have sprung up in the Hokuriku region. Isn't it possible to connect them and provide a new way to showcase these products? Wouldn't it be marvelous to experience such a thing together in the very environment where the techniques were developed, materials gathered, and pieces created? As of this year, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, we have forgone it; however, we look forward to 2021 as we're planning exhibitions at regionally-representative culturally important venues.

Japan's notable soft power lies in its rural areas, where culture and traditions have been preserved for generation after generation. Each area is small in size and quite diverse, having developed its own culture and expression organically. And it is my hope that many people in Japan and from abroad can truly connect with kogei craft and with the Hokuriku area from which it's drawn.