凍結な感想

The Japan Foundation (JF) is an organization specializing in international cultural exchange, established by the Japanese government with the aim of deepening other countries’ understanding of Japan, advancing international mutual understanding, and contributing to the world in culture and other fields. Its activities encompass arts and cultural exchange, Japanese language education overseas, and Japanese studies and intellectual exchange.

As part of its public relations efforts, the JF is developing promotional goods that both publicize its activities and function as products in their own right. In 2008, the JF solicited designs for original Japan Foundation furoshiki (wrapping cloths) from students throughout Japan and selected three of these designs for production. These JF furoshiki were sold at the Yokohama Triennale 2008, museum shops in Tokyo, and other locations, proving a big hit among both Japanese and overseas art enthusiasts.

Now the JF is happy to announce that it is soliciting designs for a second round of furoshiki productions from students at universities and schools of design overseas. The JF hopes that these furoshiki will help both to educate people overseas about its activities and to showcase the distinctive beauty and practicality of Japan’s traditional everyday goods.

The finished furoshiki will be presented to international and domestic VIPs, celebrities, and JF stakeholders in order to promote the JF and help raise awareness of traditional Japanese culture. The new furoshiki will also be made available for purchase at JF shops and other locations. A portion of the sales proceeds will go toward the JF’s international cultural exchange projects.