NFT art project showcases Japanese kogei

Tokyo-based companies CyberZ Inc. and OEN Inc. recently announced the launch of “On-Ko-Chi-Shin,” the second installment of JINP (Japan-Inspired NFT Portal), a project launched to promote Japanese culture around the world.

JINP is a project that uses the notion of “four-character compounds” in each work to convey diverse Japanese cultures, such as kanji, washoku, nihonga, and kimono to the world.

In the initial series of this project, 10 illustrators released NFT works “Juu-Nin-To-Iro,” reflecting the washoku or the traditional Japanese colors, which were auctioned off for a total of more than 16 ETH (approximately 3,000,000 JPY).

The second series, “On-Ko-Chi-Shin,” will feature Japanese kogei-themed NFT artwork by world renowned photographer RK.

For generations, Japanese traditional kogei (arts and crafts) has continuously inherited the highest skills and expressions. “On-Ko-Chi-Shin” project, a Japanese term defined as developing new ideas based on past studies, was launched in hopes to utilize the NFT technology to pass down the value of these fine crafts to future generations worldwide.

Digital arts based on the crafts (maki-e, some-ori, jiki) of three kogei artists, including “Living National Treasures,” will be released. The artists’ share through this project will be used towards “preserving Japanese kogei craftsmanship” in the hope of fostering the next generation of artists, and ownership of an NFT demonstrates support for this movement.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JINP
Living National Treasure Kazumi Murose.

Japanese street photographer RK will be the project’s creative director.

RK is best known for the portraits of celebrities, such as Takashi Murakami and KAWS. The vibrancy of the city streets, architecture, and nature are captured uniquely and have been featured in both Japanese and International media.

He holds the Japanese record, as of January 2023, for most NFT sales in the Foundation Marketplace.

Two types of NFT art will be on sale: a special “one of a kind” NFT which is a collaboration of photos taken by RK and Japanese kogei artwork, and a “3DNFT” created using 3DCG technology to best replicate the true beauty of actual artwork. Nine total varieties are available in each types of NFTs.

Japanese street photographer RK.

“I am overjoyed to see the fusion of my photographs and Japanese kogei in 3D via the cutting edge NFT technology to be widely recognized. This photoshoot was unique as I attempted to bring out the best parts of both kogei crafts and my photos. You will not see something like this anywhere else. I truly hope you enjoy them,” RK said.

“I feel as if we are entering an entirely new world by encapsulating the 1,000-year history of kogei into the digital art of NFT. Skills are intangible yet proudly passed down for generations and are now being reborn into something no one has ever imagined. As we observe the resemblance between traditional kogei and contemporary NFT, we hope this will be a great opportunity for one to discover the kogei world of continuum innovation,” Living National Treasure Kazumi Murose said.

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