Modern Japanese Craft 25' - Kenichi Sasakawa & Yoko Ichikawa

Our 6th consecutive annual event, Modern Japanese Craft shines a spotlight on contemporary makers in Japan, inviting them here to showcase their works and build a direct connection with the special people and place that is Aotearoa.

This year at Public Record we have been increasingly drawn to highly sensory craft - works that captivate not only through technical mastery and visual precision, but also through their profound connection to the roots of traditional practice and knowledge accumulated over time and lived experience.

We are honoured to host two exceptional artists this month whose work exemplifies this union of tradition and contemporary vision:

Kenichi Sasakawa (glass sculpture)
@k.sasakawa.glass

Yoko Ichikawa (leather and urushi/lacquerware)
@yok_ichikawa

Both have devoted years to honing their craft, achieving a harmonious balance between meticulous skill and modern expression. Their long careers reflect deep respect for their materials and the rigorous demands of life as dedicated artists, while embracing the unique pleasures of creation.

Their works also reveal subtle playfulness moments that invite the viewer to pause, to reflect, and to engage. These phenomena of gaze and stillness are essential and what we enjoy in craft and art in general, offering a tangible sense of time, space, and human presence in the act of making.

We warmly invite you to experience these exclusive works from Japan. Both artists will be present for the opening in Aotearoa New Zealand, a rare opportunity to celebrate their achievements and connect with them in person.

Yuka O’Shannessy
Public Record Director

Shop Kenichi Sasakawa
Shop Yoko Ichikawa

Modern Japanese Crafts 25’ (MJC25’)
20th November - 7th December 2025
Supported by @gallery_crossing
Presented by @public_record_

Haere mai / All welcome