We will be producing the first NFT art piece in collaboration with bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.

B-OWND, an art and crafts platform provided by Tanseisha, will begin selling its first NFT (※1) art pieces, created in collaboration with bamboo craftsman Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, at Art Fair Tokyo 2022, which will be held at the Tokyo International Forum from Thursday, March 10th to Sunday, March 13th.

The NFT artworks being sold this time are not just digital versions of the works of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, but also attempt to create new value by showcasing the artworks through unique digital expressions, deepening the concepts, linking them with real artworks, etc. In addition, by expanding the works into the digital realm, it is possible to handle a larger number of pieces than would be possible with real artworks, and to offer a lineup at more affordable prices, which is expected to have the effect of making the artworks available to more people.

B-OWND will continue to promote initiatives that combine digital technology with art and craft works, expanding the possibilities of artist expression and creating opportunities for more people to enjoy art up close, aiming to contribute to the spread of art and craft works and the expansion of the art market in Japan. Furthermore, in Tanseisha's business of "space creation," we will continue to create experiences that utilize the characteristics of NFTs and take on the challenge of creating new spatial value.

(*1) NFT (Non-Fungible Token): A non-fungible token that can create the value of unique, "one-of-a-kind data." By utilizing blockchain technology, it is possible to create digital data that is difficult to tamper with.

News Release

Art and craft platform "B-OWND" creates first NFT art piece in collaboration with bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV
~Sales will begin at Art Fair Tokyo 2022, which will be held from March 10th~

Background of the initiative

Launched in 2019, B-OWND has worked with many artists who create craft works as art, and has endeavored to expand and popularize the art market and support artists' activities in various ways, including selling works using blockchain technology, utilizing its media functions to introduce artists, and promoting collaborations between space and art using Tanseisha's business.
On the other hand, real artworks are one-of-a-kind, so they take a lot of time to create and the supply on the market is limited, making them difficult to obtain and tending to be limited to only a limited number of people. Therefore, by utilizing the know-how that Tanseisha has cultivated in the NFT field to digitize them as NFT art, we have made it possible for more people to get their hands on the works.

Working with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV

In order to create the next generation of spatial experience value through "crafts x space x technology," Tanseisha signed a business partnership agreement with Yumekobo Co., Ltd., the agent of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, in September 2021 and is working on a co-creation project to realize a new craft experience space. As part of this initiative, we have taken on the challenge of creating new value using digital expression based on the work of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.

The NFT artworks to be announced and their features

1. "INFINITY"
Following the style of the 4th generation Tanabe Chikuunsai, this Video work is centered on the "connection" and "two sides of the same coin" between the real world and the digital world, the boundaries of which are becoming increasingly blurred in modern society.
Based on the concept of "infinity," the exhibition challenges the possibilities of new expression by expanding Tanabe Chikuunsai IV's real-life work "Connection" into a digital space without physical constraints, going beyond conventional limits.

2. ``Circulation -RECIRCULATION-''
These photographs are of the installations "RECIRCULATION" and "WORMHOLE" that will be exhibited at the venue and can be purchased like postcards.
A total of 200 pieces will be issued, and by selling the installation, which will be removed after a certain period of time, as an NFT art piece to a wider audience, viewers will be able to own the memory of their experience as a work of art, and by purchasing the pieces, they will be able to support the artist's work.

In addition, real works with real certificates (※2) equipped with IC tags will also be on sale at the venue.

(※2) Real Certificate: A certificate attached to artworks equipped with IC tags, developed in collaboration with the IC tagged blockchain certificate issued by Startrail, a blockchain infrastructure built by Startbahn Inc. (※3). By holding a smartphone over the card, in addition to the after story (history information) of the completed work that is recorded in a conventional blockchain certificate, you can also view the before story of the work's creation through photos, audio, text, video, etc.

(※3) Startbahn Inc.: Founded in 2014. The company is building the blockchain infrastructure "Startrail" to guarantee the authenticity and reliability of artworks around the world and support the inheritance of value. The company also develops and provides web applications and APIs to make it easier to use information on Startrail.

Overview of Art Fair Tokyo 2022

About "B-OWND"

Launched in May 2019, B-OWND is an online marketplace that sells craft works as art that expresses Japanese beauty. By carefully introducing artists and their works, the platform aims to be a place that connects artists and buyers. In addition, B-OWND allows you to purchase works that come with a blockchain-based digital certificate of authenticity. The fact that you have purchased a work is recorded semi-permanently, and each person's aesthetic sense is engraved in the history of art and crafts.
<Service Features>
(1) Online Market
This is an online market where you can purchase craft works as art that are symbols of Japanese beauty and technique. We sell a wide variety of works from up-and-coming young artists to world-renowned artists.
(2) Digital Certificates
By issuing a digital certificate of authenticity via blockchain for each work, not only will authenticity and reliability be guaranteed, but the act of purchasing will also be recorded in history. In addition, we will promote a "rebate model" that allows artists to take a portion of the transaction fee (optional) during secondary distribution. System Development in collaboration with Startbahn Co., Ltd.
(3) Online Media
In order to promote Japanese contemporary crafts as art, we mainly introduce artists and the concepts of their works. In addition to introducing materials and techniques unique to crafts, we also focus on how cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and AI will affect art and crafts, and explore the value of contemporary crafts.
(4) Collaboration with the space
By combining Tanseisha's spatial creation know-how with B-OWND's services, we can provide a special space for everyone who visits, from proposing to incorporate art into spaces such as hotels, lounges, and offices to branding.

Related information

・ "B-OWND" website
・ "B-OWND Magazine" (media site)

Previously published information