Cover Art: Makimasa Imai & The Hetjens Museum
We are thrilled to announce that a work by Makimasa Imai, a distinguished ceramic artist featured here on Kogei Art KYOTO, has been selected for the cover of the “HETJENS JOURNAL 2026.” This publication is issued by the Friends of the Hetjens Museum1 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
A Connection Born from Sister Cities. This collaboration traces its roots back to the 60th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Kyoto and Cologne. Two years ago, during a visit by the Kyoto City delegation, a special exhibition featuring traditional crafts by eight Kyoto artists was held at the Tenri Japanisch-Deutsche Kulturwerkstatt (Tenri Japanese-German Cultural Workshop) in Cologne.
Following this meaningful exchange, the Tenri Workshop facilitated a significant donation of contemporary Kyoto ceramic works to the neighboring Hetjens Museum in Düsseldorf. Makimasa Imai’s featured piece was among this generous donation, symbolizing the enduring bond between the two regions.
About the Museum The Hetjens Museum, also known as the German Museum of Ceramics (Deutsches Keramikmuseum), is a world-renowned institution with a comprehensive collection spanning 8,000 years of ceramic history. Being featured on the cover of their journal is a prestigious recognition, as the publication is read by serious collectors and enthusiasts of ceramic culture worldwide.
The Featured Artwork: A Modern Take on Tradition The artwork gracing the cover depicts the Imperial Prince and Princess (Dairi-bina), traditional figures displayed in Japanese homes during Hina Matsuri (the Doll Festival). Celebrated annually on March 3rd, this festival is a time-honored tradition to pray for the happiness and health of young girls. Imai has beautifully reinterpreted these auspicious figures through his unique ceramic expression.
Inside the journal, specifically in the article titled “AKTUELLE KERAMIKKUNST AUS KYOTO” (Current Ceramic Art from Kyoto), works by other contemporary Kyoto ceramic artists are also introduced, highlighting the depth and diversity of Kyoto’s artistic landscape.
Discover the Artist. To learn more about Makimasa Imai and view his works available for purchase, please visit his artist page via the link below.
Reference materials provided by: Makimasa Imai
