The Jury’s Special Prize collaboration of MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2026 between Wieki Somers and Yamagishi Washi Inc. is now entering a new stage of exploration and development. In July 2026, Wieki travelled to Japan and visited the Echizen Washi region in Fukui Prefecture, accompanied by the team at Yamagishi Washi. The visit offered an opportunity

In early September 2025, a team formed through the MONO MAKERS PROGRAM 2024—a cultural initiative connecting Japanese traditional artisans with Dutch creators—visited Kyotango, a scenic region in northern Kyoto Prefecture. Facing the Sea of Japan, Kyotango is roughly twice the size of Amsterdam and is a land rich in fisheries, agriculture, and natural beauty. It