Traditional Art Evolves: Pokémon-Themed Tokyo Show Focuses on Japan’s Traditional Crafts

Katsura Morihiro’s Intimidating, an obi sash clasp taking the form of Umbreon. A living national treasure with more than a half-century of work behind him, Katsura took his first steps into the Pokémon world with this piece. (© Nippon.com)

Imai Sadamasa’s Venusaur, a “realistic figure” rendered by a ceramics artist who usually focuses on marine life in his work. (© Nippon.com)

From left, the metalworker Yoshida Taiichirō’s takes on Vaporeon, Eevee, Jolteon, and Flareon. Each work is composed of several thousands to more than 10,000 intricately joined metal pieces. (© Nippon.com)

Tsuboshima Yūki’s Transformable Ornament, Rookidee/Corviknight is intricate metalwork allowing the piece to be changed from one Pokémon to the next evolutions. (© Nippon.com)

Shiroma Eiichi’s Island to Island kimono design uses traditional Ryūkyū-style dyeing techniques to create colorful patterns on cloth. (© Nippon.com)

Sudō Reiko, in Pikachū’s Adventures in a Forest, creates a golden-hued space enveloped in some 900 needle-lace hangings featuring the most famous Pokémon of all. (© Nippon.com)

The café’s croque monsieur with Pokémon-themed printed cheese, at front, can be paired with a number of playful desserts. (© Nippon.com)