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As part of the 19th Spring of Culture Festival, and in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Bahrain, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities hosted the opening of the "From Hand to Hand: 100-Years-New Craft" exhibition at the Bahrain National Museum. The event was attended by Her Excellency Ms. Okai Asako, Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, alongside senior officials from the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, cultural figures, and traditional art enthusiasts.

Organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities in coordination with Chawan Japanese Teahouse, Budoor Steele and Hanae Suzuki, the exhibition is also co-sponsored by the Japanese Embassy in Bahrain, Ebrahim K. Kanoo, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co., Bahrain-Japan Business & Friendship Society, Darseen Café, Well-being for Planet Earth Foundation (Japan), and Kagizen (Japan).

This exhibition highlights the aesthetics of Japanese craftsmanship, which have deep historical roots, and demonstrates how Japanese craftsmen have successfully blended tradition with modernity, preserving and developing their craft heritage in line with contemporary needs.

It features a group of shokunin craftspeople who showcase their unique works, reflecting the philosophy of traditional craftsmanship and its ongoing evolution.

The exhibition is divided into five key characters, each reflecting a unique concept in the evolution of Japanese crafts: Now, Use, Succession, Change, and Flow. The concept of Now features the Kamide Choemon Gama exhibition, which highlights kutani porcelain and the challenges it faces due to the rise of industrial products. The concept of Use presents the Kanaami Tsuji exhibition, showcasing innovative kyo kanaami metal wire weaving that illustrate how traditional crafts can adapt to meet contemporary needs.

The concept of Succession is embodied in the Kaikado exhibition, which displays chazutsu tea caddies that evolve with time, acquiring a unique colour and lustre, while their design continues to be refined to meet modern life demands. The concept of Change features the Nakagawa Mokkougei exhibition, which reimagines the traditional ki-oke wooden tubs that were once an essential part of Japanese life, now adapted into modern shapes suited to contemporary use. Finally, the concept of Flow showcases the Asahiyaki exhibition, focusing on the development of Japanese pottery over 400 years, particularly through pieces designed for the preparation of green tea, such as the chawan tea bowl and hohin teapot.

The exhibition will be open until 28 March 2025, and visitors are invited to explore the works during the museum’s official hours, from 9 am to 3 pm daily (closed on Tuesday mornings but open in the evening), and from 9 pm to 12 am, with extended hours on Thursday and Friday until 1 am.