KOGEI USA, a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Japanese kogei, is honored to inaugurate its first newsletter with a special focus on its collaboration with Silvia Furmanovich, an internationally acclaimed jewelry designer whose work has long engaged in meaningful dialogue with traditional craft practices across cultures.
For decades, Furmanovich has cultivated deep relationships with master artisans in Japan working in lacquer, ceramics, bamboo and other time-honored materials. Through her practice, she not only preserves these techniques but recontextualizes them—translating the spirit of kogei into a contemporary, global language.
In her role as Cultural Ambassador of KOGEI USA, Furmanovich serves as a vital conduit between makers and audiences, bringing the voices of kogei artists into new contexts through her singular approach to jewelry. Each piece becomes a vessel of transmission—carrying material knowledge, cultural memory and artisanal excellence from Japan to the world.
Recently, Furmanovich joined KOGEI USA on a visit to Wajima, a historic center of lacquer production on Japan’s Noto Peninsula, following the devastating earthquake of 2024. The visit underscored both the fragility and resilience of these communities, reaffirming a shared commitment to sustaining endangered traditions. The journey was featured in The New York Times earlier this year.
We invite you to explore the accompanying interview with Silvia Furmanovich and to follow KOGEI USA as it continues to develop a series of exhibitions, programs and collaborations in partnership with Furmanovich in the months ahead.