The "POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Art and Craft" exhibition, featuring about 90 works by 20 of Japan's leading contemporary craft artists, from Living National Treasures to up-and-coming young talents, is now being held at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art. We'll introduce you to this unique "artistic Pokémon experience," which uses a wide variety of materials and techniques from the world of crafts. It's a must-see for Pokémon fans and a delightful discovery for those new to the Pokémon world!

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

The highly anticipated "POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Art and Craft" exhibition has arrived at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo! After its initial run at the National Crafts Museum (Ishikawa Prefecture) in 2023, this exhibition has been a massive hit, touring Los Angeles, USA, and various locations across Japan. The 20 participating artists range from Living National Treasures to brilliant young talents. Some grew up playing Pokémon, while others encountered the game for the first time for this exhibition. I, along with Chisato, a Pokémon fan of 30 years, witnessed how Pokémon stimulated the artists' creativity, giving rise to never-before-seen crafts and Pokémon.

Exhibition view

The exhibition is divided into three sections: "Appearance—Up Close!" which evokes the forms, gestures, and very presence of Pokémon; "Story—Immersion!" which expresses the world of the games, including evolution, trading, journey settings, and super-effective moves; and "Life—Admiration!" 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 spanning metalwork, woodwork, ceramics, lacquerware, glass, and textiles.

Yuki Hayama, Vessel of All Creation: Pokémon (2022, Private Collection)

The first piece you encounter is Vessel of All Creation: Pokémon by ceramic artist Yuki Hayama. Featuring countless plants and over 500 Pokémon, Chisato says, "I came 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 vase 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 the incredibly high level of skill required to draw such intricate patterns on the rough, highly absorbent surface of the body after being bisque-fired at 900°C. I was mesmerized by the delicate three-dimensionality created by the raised white lines and stippling done with a sharp point and brush, as well as the shimmer of the gold accents that changes with the viewing angle. "I could look at Hayama's work forever," Chisato remarks.

Yuki Hayama, Sphere: "Kaleidoscope of Myriad Flowers (Xerneas's Cycle of Life) I-III" (2024, Private Collection)

Sphere: "Kaleidoscope of Myriad Flowers (Xerneas's Cycle of Life) I-III" depicts the story of the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas from Pokémon X, released in 2013: "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've played the game." Mugs and coasters from the Vessel of All Creation and Kaleidoscope of Myriad Flowers series are available at the special shop, so be sure to check them 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 with new textures. The unique presence of these Pokémon, brought to life from metal, clay, and wood, is truly captivating.

Keiko Masumoto, Shigaraki Jar / Moltres (2022, Private Collection)

For example, Keiko Masumoto's Shigaraki Jar / Moltres is based on the Flame Pokémon, Moltres. "I love how a Fire-type Pokémon emerges from the flames of the kiln," says Chisato. With the warm colors and texture of Shigaraki ware, the beautifully sculpted flames, and the floral patterns that evoke a sense of spring, this piece has multiple layers of charm that you can gaze at forever.

Toru Fukuda's Resonance is a new work added for the Hokkaido exhibition (2026, Private Collection).

Toru Fukuda, who develops three-dimensional sculptures using 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 create ultrasonic waves is expressed perfectly and looks so cool! "Vibrava doesn't have much merchandise, so I'm thrilled they chose this one! It's great to see a rare shiny one too," says Chisato. (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 lace piece that depicts the scene where Pikachu's friends work together to save one that fell into a river, and there's also a shiny Pikachu hidden in there. It's incredibly cute. Try to find them!

Terumasa Ikeda, Tea Utensil with Unknown Pattern in Black Granite. This tea set is just too cool... (2022, Private Collection)

Terumasa Ikeda, who develops his own unique expressions based on the traditional raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) technique, created Tea Utensil with Unknown Pattern in Black Granite, featuring Unown, which inhabit ancient ruins. "Unown have 28 different forms, representing the alphabet, a question mark, and an exclamation mark. If you read the golden Unown, it forms a phrase from a certain scene in the game.

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

Kasumi Ueba, Mimikyu with Star, Ice, and Fierce Patterns

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 just for Pokémon fans, but also for people like me who weren't familiar with Pokémon. Reading the exhibition catalog, which explains each artist's production episodes and techniques, will enhance the experience even more, 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.
©Terumasa Ikeda, Kasumi Ueba, Reiko Sudo, Yuki Hayama, Toru Fukuda, Keiko Masumoto, Taiichiro Yoshida

Interview Cooperation: Chisato Tokumaru