About the Women's Traditional Crafts Exhibition

The Women's Traditional Crafts Exhibition is held in the hope that the Japanese lifestyle and culture of loving traditional crafts will be passed on to the next generation in a healthy way through the exhibition of works created with the unique sensibilities of female craftspeople.

　The idea came from several female traditional craftspeople who participated in the National Traditional Craftsmen's Convention held in Fukui in November 1995 and shared the same lodgings.

　In Fukuoka, the exhibition has been held annually since 1997, thanks to the strong support of the Across Fukuoka Foundation. We would like to express our deepest respect and gratitude to all of the organizations involved and to all of you who attended the exhibition for your understanding of this project.

Purpose of the Exhibition

Currently, there are 602 women out of 3,324 traditional craftspeople, which is only 18.1% of the total number of traditional craftspeople. (As of February 25, 2025)
The purpose of the Association is to improve the status of women traditional craftspeople by promoting mutual cooperation, exchanging information, studying common problems, and conducting business activities, and to contribute to the promotion and development of the traditional crafts industry.

Background of Holding

In 1995, at the initiative of several female traditional craftspeople who participated in the National Convention of Traditional Craftspeople in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, the exhibition was launched at ACROS Fukuoka as a small-scale but national-level exhibition, and later expanded to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Tsuwano. The exhibition has continued to be held thanks to the warm support of the local community and the tireless enthusiasm and teamwork of the women who have participated.

Current Status of Women Traditional Artisans

1) Number of female traditional craftspeople (as of February 25, 2025 )
602 (2,722 males, 3,324 total = 18.1%)
2023 = 17.4%, 2024 = 17.8%, the percentage of female traditional craftspeople is increasing

2) Distribution of female traditional craftspeople
123 crafts (216 crafts with traditional craftspeople out of 243 designated traditional crafts = 56.9%)

(3) Occupations of female traditional craftspeople
Textiles accounted for an outstanding 230 (38.2%), followed by ceramics 122 (20.3%), dyeing and other textile products 99 (16.4%), and other crafts 33 (5.5%).

(4) Participating Crafts and Regions 《36 prefectures, 91 crafts, total 777 persons》 (*=Non-nationally designated crafts)