All Nippon Airways launches the CRAFTSMANSHIP website to increase foreign visitors
ANA’s “IS JAPAN COOL?” Introduces New Theme “CRAFTSMANSHIP” – Focusing on country’s traditional artisans
Date: June 13, 2018
Source: All Nippon Airways (ANA)
TOKYO – All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced today the launch of a new website theme that celebrates “CRAFTSMANSHIP” as part of its “IS JAPAN COOL?” program, which helps promote Japan to international visitors. This new theme will have two features, including interviews with seven traditional Japanese artisans and the SAMURAI AVATAR.
Japanese armor-maker
Japanese swordsmith
Artisan of Japanese dyeing
On the SAMURAI AVATAR page, visitors will be able to make their own SAMURAI AVATAR
After creating the SAMURAI AVATAR, visitors can print it out on a 3D printer to create their own action figure.
Japanese “CRAFTSMANSHIP” is a treasured skill no machine can replicate. While many crafts are mass produced by machines today, Japanese craftsmanship is handmade and created by skills passed down for generations.
Although these skills are now becoming rare in today’s world, Japanese artisans take pride in their work and treasure the time they put in creating their masterpieces, devoting their lives to cherish the techniques inherited from their predecessors.
Through this new theme, ANA aims to share the treasured craft legacies and put a spotlight on the beautiful Japanese hidden talent.
“IS JAPAN COOL?” was launched in 2012 to bring Japanese culture and attractions closer to people all around the world. In past years, the website has covered Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Washoku (Japanese cuisine), Anime (animation), Matsuri (festivals), and DOU, reaching more than five million visitors from 152 countries.
The 2017 theme was DOU (DŌ), which is a composition of Japanese traditional “budo (martial arts)” and “geido (performing/fine arts).” This theme, illustrating Japanese arts through the use of cutting-edge technology, was recognized with the bronze award in the Interactive Craft category at THE ONE SHOW 2018, one of the world’s most prestigious advertising accolades, on May 11, 2018.
“ANA hopes to preserve and honor Japanese craftsmanship,” Takashi Shiki, ANA’s chairman of sales and marketing said. “We believe the history and the skills of Japanese craftsmanship should be cherished. We hope to encourage visitors to learn more about Japanese artisans and traditions.”
The new theme focuses on artisans who practice traditional Japanese arts and also includes interactive features such as producing personalized samurai figures, the SAMURAI AVATAR.
On the interview page, visitors can read features and view movies of unique Japanese skills such as traditional Japanese carpentry, swordsmithing, armor making, dyeing, inkstick making, glass cutting and food-sample making. Viewers can first enjoy a 50-second introduction movie that highlights the craftsmanship of the seven artisans.
For each artisan, there will be a ten-minute movie introducing the daily work and personal story of why they have chosen this way of life and their dreams of inheriting and passing down their legacy. Additionally, interview pages provide a photo gallery where site visitors can enjoy crafts produced with wholehearted devotion by Japanese artisans.
On the SAMURAI AVATAR page, visitors will be able to make their own SAMURAI AVATAR, while experiencing the craftsmanship of creating Japanese armor. Visitors simply upload a photo of themselves and freely customize each part of the SAMURAI AVATAR and create a one and only Japanese armor. After creating the SAMURAI AVATAR, visitors can share it on social media, print it out on a 3D printer to create their own action figure, or post it on a webpage with other people’s SAMURAI AVATARS from around the world.
60-second footage offers a short summary introducing the outline of the SAMURAI AVATAR. The movie uses CG images to demonstrate how to make original Japanese armors from a selection of preferred shapes and colors to create a 3D armor figure.
“We hope to increase awareness of the daily endeavors and special skills of various craftsmen and artisans,” Shiki said. “The website offers special content that will enable site visitors to easily enjoy and learn about Japanese traditional culture.”
Recently, the number of international visitors to Japan has exceeded the previous annual record of 28 million visitors. This new content will help promote a deeper understanding of Japan, saluting the craftsmanship and spirit of artisans who practice this craft legacy.
