Japan's legendary Master Crafts tradition is rapidly disappearing. After flourishing for many centuries and being a leading inspiration for craftsmanship around the world, this revered cultural system representing some of the highest expressions of the human spirit may be gone within the next few short years.

In 2018, longtime Japan resident Steve Beimel gathered a few concerned friends and founded JapanCraft21, which Asia Society Japan Board Member, Jesper Koll, described as ''the beginning of a movement.'' After creating a school for teaching nearly forgotten traditional construction skills to young builders, they joined with the Asia Society Japan in 2020 to sponsor the Japan Traditional Craft Revitalization Contests​ to identify and support talented and passionate craftspeople in revitalizing their crafts for the 21st Century.

Join Steve for a hard look at the current situation around Japan's Master Crafts tradition — why the system is faltering, what can be done to turn it around, and the actions that JapanCraft21 is taking.