ARTerrace Featured in art NIKKEI: “Japanese KOGEI Draw Attention from Leading Corporations”
ARTerrace was featured in the September 1, 2025 art NIKKEI special report “Japanese KOGEI Draw Attention from Leading Corporations.”
The article introduced ARTerrace under the headline “KOGEI Embellish the Cruise Ship Asuka III — With an Online Gallery.”
The feature highlighted approximately 80 KOGEI works installed aboard the newly launched cruise ship Asuka III on July 20, as well as ARTerrace’s online gallery and its initiatives in digital provenance and certification. The article was paired with an onboard report entitled “Asuka III: A Museum at Sea — Resplendent with Art.” Below is a summary of the coverage.
＜KOGEI Works Aboard Asuka III＞
The new cruise ship Asuka III presents around 80 works of traditional KOGEI across its public spaces and suites, including major pieces created specifically for the vessel. Among the most emblematic is Yōkō Yōei, a monumental maki-e lacquer panel (8.8m high × 3m wide) by Living National Treasure Kazumi Murose.
＜Integration with the ARTerrace Online Gallery＞
The works currently exhibited on board are also available for acquisition via ARTerrace’s online gallery. This initiative links the experience of viewing with that of collecting — a new model we describe as “Museum at Sea × Digital Gallery.”
＜Digital Certification and Provenance Management＞
When entrusted with KOGEI works, ARTerrace conducts high-precision 3D scanning to capture form data and integrates this with fundamental information such as imagery and artist names, recorded as NFTs on blockchain. This creates a tamper-resistant “certificate of authenticity” to support future verification and enhance trust in both authenticity and provenance.
＜Secondary Market (Resale) for a Sustainable Ecosystem＞
Our platform also enables peer-to-peer secondary transactions. All transaction histories are immutably recorded on blockchain, preserving provenance, ensuring transparency, and securing the long-term asset value of works.
“The true value of KOGEI is often difficult to ascertain, and works are sometimes relinquished at prices below their intrinsic worth. By demonstrating authenticity through our system, we aim to make value visible and contribute to fairer evaluations,”
explains ARTerrace Director Michiyasu Kaino.
Industry Context
The same feature introduced wider initiatives by leading corporations, including Tanseisha’s B-OWND platform integrating digital certification with spatial installations, Mitsubishi Estate Residence’s incorporation of KOGEI into condominium projects, and MUFG’s support for next-generation artisans. Against the backdrop of revived inbound tourism and rising international interest, the cultural and economic value of ichimono — one-of-a-kind works — is undergoing renewed recognition.
Guided by our vision of “A world where KOGEI continue to be woven 100 years from now,” ARTerrace is committed to:
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Communicating the artistry and philosophy of makers through thoughtful storytelling and exhibitions,
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Establishing a reliable foundation of work and provenance information via NFTs and 3D scanning, and
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Designing a sound market that ensures continuity between primary and secondary circulation.
Our collaboration with Asuka III embodies this cycle at sea — from appreciation and cultural understanding to acquisition and the perpetuation of tradition. ARTerrace will continue to share the enduring beauty of Japanese KOGEI with audiences worldwide.
Reference: art NIKKEI, “Japanese KOGEI Draw Attention from Leading Corporations — 80 Works Exhibited on Asuka III” (September 1, 2025). For the full article and illustrations, please consult the original publication.
