14th International Ceramics Competition Mino 2027

The 14th International Ceramics Competition Mino is one of the world's major competitions for ceramics, held in Tajimi, at the centre of Japan's Mino ware region. Since the first edition in 1986 it has drawn entries from across the world: the last competition received 3,890 entries from 2,128 applicants in 77 countries and regions. Entry is free, the Grand Prix is worth ¥5,000,000, and about 200 selected works are exhibited from 8 October to 7 November 2027.

The theme is "Potential of Ceramics". The organisers want work that goes beyond traditional ideas, shows imagination and explores what ceramics can be, in an age of new materials and technologies. There are two categories: Ceramic Arts, and Ceramics Design, which is split into a Factory field for industrial products and a Studio field for individual makers.

Applications are made entirely online with photographs. Only works that pass two rounds of image judging are sent to Japan for the final judging of the actual pieces.

Who Can Enter the International Ceramics Competition Mino?

The competition is open to everyone, with no restrictions on age, nationality or professional status. Companies can apply in the Factory field of the design category.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Studio potters and ceramic artists
• Ceramic and product designers
• Manufacturers of ceramic tableware and objects
• Ceramics students and young makers under 40

What Can You Enter?

Entries must be self-made works mainly of ceramics, produced on or after 1 February 2024, and not selected in other public competitions.

Categories

• Ceramic Arts: ceramic pieces that bring together creative ideas and technique
• Ceramics Design, Factory field: factory products with practical functions; company applications
• Ceramics Design, Studio field: individual studio products with practical functions; individual or group applications

Each applicant can enter up to three works in each category, but the same work cannot be entered in more than one category.

Size and Weight

As a guide, works should take up no more than 4 m² of floor space, stand no taller than 4 m and weigh no more than 100 kg (100 kg per part for assembled works).

Entry Fees

There is no registration fee.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Grand Prix: ¥5,000,000, plus travel and accommodation to attend the award ceremony
• Gold Award: ¥2,000,000
• Silver Award: ¥1,000,000 (one in each field)
• Bronze Award: ¥500,000 (four in total)
• Special Judge's Award: ¥100,000 (ten in total)
• Sakazaki Shigeo Ceramics Award: ¥500,000 each, for one work in each category by an artist aged 40 or under
• Honourable mentions: about 160–180 selected works, all exhibited
• Catalogue: a copy for every awarded and selected artist

The Grand Prix and Gold Award works are donated to the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu.

Submission Requirements

Applications are made online through the official website; postal applications are not accepted. After registering your email and details, you add each work with:

• Title, size and a design concept of up to 800 characters, in Japanese or English
• Three JPEG images of up to 4 MB each: one from the front and two from other angles
• A headshot (individuals) or company logo (companies)

Important Rules

• Works must be mainly ceramic and made on or after 1 February 2024.
• Works selected in other public competitions are not eligible.
• Selected works that arrive late, damaged or different from the images can be disqualified.
• Applicants pay for shipping, taxes and insurance to and from Japan; the organisers pay Japanese import duties and consumption tax.
• The organisers insure works in their care up to ¥300,000 per work.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

Results of each screening are posted on your My Page: the first around the end of February 2027, the second from mid to late April 2027. Final results are announced in early August 2027, after an international panel judges the actual works.

Things to Consider

• Photograph each piece three times. Two image rounds decide whether your work reaches Japan, so quality photographs are essential.
• Watch the deadline time. Applications close at 5pm Japan time on 29 January, which is the morning in Europe.
• Plan shipping costs. If selected, you pay to send work to Japan and back, and must declare a value of ¥300,000 or less.
• Under 40? You are eligible for the Sakazaki Shigeo Ceramics Award.
• Use your three entries per category to show range.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the International Ceramics Competition Mino

For the full application guidelines and the online form, visit the official International Ceramics Festival Mino website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 12, 2026