The "POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Art and Craft" exhibition is now open at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, showcasing about 90 works by 20 of Japan's leading contemporary craft artists, from Living National Treasures to up-and-coming talents. It's a one-of-a-kind "artistic Pokémon experience" that utilizes a diverse range of materials and techniques from the world of crafts. Not just for Pokémon fans, this exhibition can be enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with the series. Let's dive in!

Some exhibits will be rotated during the exhibition period, so I immediately decided to come back for the second half.

After its launch at the National Crafts Museum (Ishikawa Prefecture) in 2023, the highly anticipated exhibition "POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Art and Craft" has toured Los Angeles, USA, and various locations in Japan to great acclaim. Now, it has finally arrived at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo! The 20 participating artists range from Living National Treasures to brilliant young talents. Some grew up playing Pokémon, while others encountered the games for the first time for this exhibition. I went with Chisato, a Pokémon fan of 30 years, to witness how Pokémon stimulated the artists' creativity, giving rise to crafts and Pokémon never seen before.

Exhibition view

The exhibition is divided into three sections: "Appearance—Imposing!" which evokes the forms, gestures, and very presence of Pokémon; "Story—Immersing!" which expresses the world of the games, including evolution, trading, journey settings, and super-effective moves; and "Life—Loving!" where you can enjoy Pokémon incorporated into vessels, kimonos, and accessories. The Sapporo exhibition features two new works, bringing the total to about 90 pieces in metalwork, woodwork, ceramics, lacquerware, glass, and textiles.

Yuki Hayama, *Pokémon Jar of the Universe* (2022, private collection)

The first piece you encounter upon entering is ceramic artist Yuki Hayama's *Pokémon Jar of the Universe*. Featuring countless plants and over 500 Pokémon, Chisato commented on the work, "I came to see it with my child on the first day, and we had so much fun finding the Pokémon drawn on it that we couldn't move away from this jar for a while."

The Pokémon and plant patterns were drawn freehand without any preliminary sketches.

Reading about the creation process in the exhibition catalog reveals that drawing such intricate patterns on the rough, highly absorbent surface of the body after biscuit firing at 900°C requires an incredibly high level of skill. I was mesmerized by the delicate three-dimensionality created by the raised white lines and stippling done with a pointed tool and brush, and the way the gold accents shimmer and change depending on the viewing angle. "I could spend a lifetime just looking at Hayama's work," Chisato said.

Yuki Hayama, *Sphere "Kaleidoscope (Xerneas, the Cycle of Life) I-III"* (2024, private collection)

The *Sphere "Kaleidoscope (Xerneas, the Cycle of Life) I-III"* depicts the story of the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas, which appeared in the 2013 game *Pokémon X*: "When the horns on its head shine in seven colors, it is said to be sharing everlasting life. It slept for a thousand years in the form of a tree before its revival. (From *Pokémon X and Y*)"

According to Chisato, "In the game, there's a depiction of Xerneas's horns glowing during battle, but it's never been highlighted and illustrated like this, so I think this piece will really resonate with people who played the game." Mugs and coasters featuring the *Universe* and *Kaleidoscope* series are available at the special exhibition shop, so be sure to check those out!

Metalwork artist Taiichiro Yoshida's *Jolteon*. The cloisonné eyeballs are also beautiful. (2022, private collection)

One of the highlights of this exhibition is encountering three-dimensional Pokémon summoned into the real world from unexpected materials and with new textures. The unique presence of these Pokémon, brought to life from metal, clay, and wood, is truly captivating.

Kako Masumoto, *Shigaraki Jar / Moltres* (2022, private collection)

For example, Kako Masumoto's *Shigaraki Jar / Moltres* is based on the Flame Pokémon, Moltres. "I love how a Fire-type Pokémon is born from the flames of a kiln," says Chisato. The work is captivating on multiple levels, with the warm colors and earthy texture of Shigaraki ware, the beautifully sculpted flames, and the floral patterns that evoke a sense of spring. You could gaze at it forever.

Toru Fukuda's *Resonance* is a new work added for the Hokkaido exhibition. (2026, private collection)

Toru Fukuda, who develops three-dimensional forms using mokuzōgan (wood inlay), a technique that creates patterns by combining various colors and grains of natural wood, presents *Resonance*, featuring Vibrava. The way it captures Vibrava communicating by vibrating its wings to produce ultrasonic waves is expressed perfectly and is just so cool...! "Vibrava doesn't get much merchandise, so I'm thrilled that they chose to feature it! It's also great to see a rare 'shiny' version," Chisato exclaimed. (Incidentally, other visitors were also reacting to the shiny Pokémon.)

Reiko Sudo, *Pikachu's Forest* (2023, private collection)

*Pikachu's Forest*, composed of 900 Pikachu-shaped embroidered lace pieces, was inspired by the anime episode "Pikachu's Goodbye," where many wild Pikachu appear. There's one special lace piece that depicts the scene where the Pikachu work together to save a fellow Pikachu that fell into a river. A shiny Pikachu is also hidden in the work, and it's ridiculously cute. Try to find them!

Kosho Ikeda, *Tea Caddy with Unown Pattern in Black Granite*. This tea caddy is unbelievably cool... (2022, private collection)

Kosho Ikeda, who develops his own unique expressions based on traditional raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) techniques, created the *Tea Caddy with Unown Pattern in Black Granite*, featuring the Unown, which inhabit ancient ruins. "There are 28 forms of Unown, representing the alphabet plus a question mark and an exclamation mark. If you read the golden Unown, it spells out a phrase from a certain scene in the game.

When I figured it out, I felt like, 'The message got through loud and clear!'" said Chisato. The joy of discovering and responding to the artists' hidden tricks, like shiny versions and secret meanings, might be a unique pleasure of this exhibition.

Kasumi Ueba, *Mimikyu with Star, Ice, and Flame Pattern* (2024, private collection)

By viewing crafts through the lens of Pokémon, a franchise beloved by people of all ages worldwide, I feel I was able to better appreciate the advanced techniques and depth of the art form. I've only been able to introduce a small fraction of the nearly 90 works on display, but I highly recommend a visit, not only for Pokémon fans but also for people like me who weren't previously familiar with the series. The experience is even more enjoyable if you read the exhibition catalog, which explains each artist's production episodes and techniques, so be sure to check it out!

©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
©Kosho Ikeda, Kasumi Ueba, Reiko Sudo, Yuki Hayama, Toru Fukuda, Kako Masumoto, Taiichiro Yoshida

Interview Cooperation: Chisato Tokumaru