On September 6–7, the Bern History Museum in Switzerland held its Grand Japan Festival, a cultural exhibition run in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland and the Bern Japanese Association. The event included the screening of the Nippon.com video “The Sap of Life: Harvesting Lacquer for Japan’s Top Artisan,” featuring lacquer craftsman Ōnishi Isao, who was a living national treasure.

It was the sixth time for the museum to hold its Japan festival, and the event featured a range of Japan-themed programs, including musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, and workshops on origami, calligraphy, manga, and printmaking. There was also a special exhibition on lacquer crafts. The video was well-received by visitors, with Japanese lacquer crafts making a strong impression on viewers.

photographer/copyright: Sedat Suna

photographer/copyright: Sedat Suna