Craftworks by WABI SABI
WABI SABI is back again with an area dedicated to traditional arts, an exhibit and many craftsmen and artists come to present their works and art. Come have a look at craftworks and meet their makers!
Introduction
WABI SABI is about Japanese aesthetic values, and it’s also a series of exhibits presented at Japan Expo every year since 2011, which offer a unique insight of Japanese arts and crafts. A cultural and artistic journey to the heart of a space dedicated to Japanese culture and traditions!
Over 700 sqm, the WABI SABI exhibit unveils various artistic works and techniques, pursuing the same goal as in the previous years. Craftsmen and artists are part of it: more than 120 of them are coming to present their works and offering demonstrations all along the festival.
Temari balls
Nahomi ITO
From her early childhood, Nahomi ITO has learned Japanese arts from her grandmother. In 2012, she started her first temari works (embroidered thread balls) to which she brings a modern aspect. With patterns she gets from temari techniques, she makes fashion accessories that she will exhibit on her booth.
Hiroko TAKIMOTO
Hiroko TAKIMOTO has been creating temari balls for 40 years in the region of Wakayama, where it originates. She keeps more than 4,000 hand-made temari balls in her workshop. She gives much importance to the patterns she makes.
Woodworks
Atelier Kirinji
The Kirinji workshop is made of a former architect and a former decorator, both specialized in wood. Both use the kumiko technique, which consists in fitting little pieces of wood in complex geometrical shapes, without using nails. This technique was used to decorate ceilings and rice-paper sliding doors. Kirinji preserves this art by using it with everyday objects and furniture.
More information on kirinji.net
Katsuaki OGIHARA, atelier Ogihara
The artist sculpts ideograms in Japanese zelkova wood. As he was making wood toys, he got the idea of creating en relief ideograms. Those little sculptures can be held in your hand and allows to feel the soft touch of wood. Many people in Japan offer tham for the birth of a child or for birthdays.
Noriyuki YAMADA, atelier Gennou-ya
The workshop proposes useful and decorative objects and furniture. Assembling kumiko wood is a Japanese traditional art based on flower and snowflake patterns. Those Japanese patterns and shapes fit in with all types of decoration and bring poetry to everyday life.
More information on gennou-ya.jimdo.com
Mizuhiki cords
Atelier Ponta
The Ponta workshop is composed of Mrs HISASHINO and her daughter. Mrs HISASHINO has been raised in a house where mizuhiki art was very present. She’s been practicing this art for 60 years. Her daughter has known this art since she was a child and she makes modern works, always looking for new shapes.
More information on www.ponta-fukui.com
Yuya TSUCHIDA, Yuinou Center Tsuchida
The mizuhiki cord art is used as decoration in Japan at many ceremonies such as weddings. It is a symbol of happiness, and of the link between men. Yuya TSUCHIDA uses this art in accessories and jewels.
More information on mizuhiki-style.com
Lacquerware
Eriko TERASHIMA
Eriko TERASHIMA’s works are made of wood covered in lacquer and ornamented with precious metal pieces. The shapes she creates are unique, light and shiny.
More information on akarikoubou-urushi.com
Tetsuji TSUDA
Testuji TSUDA is a Wajima-nuri craftsman, a lacquer art about 600 years old, who started creating those works from the age of 22. For 20 years, he’s been creating beautiful objects, easy to use. By coming to Japan Expo, he hopes to share Japanese traditional values to young people.
More information on wajimanuri-tsuda.com
Models
Kyoko HASHIMOTO
She started making house models in 1994. She got many prizes for her works since then and teaches modeling on TV for the national channel NHK. Each of her models will immerse you into Japanese everyday life.
More information on www1.ttcn.ne.jp/agehibari
Metal
Kimiko IKEDA
The artist started the art of shippo cloisonné in 1980. This traditional metal work allows to make modern designs. Kimiko IKEDA presents artworks at events in Japan and abroad, and at Japan Expo.
Yukio TANZAWA
The artist works with metal, according to traditional engraving or damascening traditional techniques. Those techniques meet modern designs such as yûzen dyed glass or silver paper.
More information on www9.plala.or.jp/elle12
Paper
Satoshi FUJITA
There are two categories of origami in Japan. The most famous one is more like a game you play by folding square pieces of paper, in the shape of a crane for example, but there is also a more complex origami that requires years of practice.
Master Fujita exhibited at Japan Expo in 2013 and 2014 and is back to create origami for you.
More information on www.facebook.com/satosi.fuzita
Masatake TANAKA
Masatake TANAKA belongs to a hyogu (paper for the inside of houses) craftsmen family, which goes back to the 17th century, famous for making rolls, sliding doors, screens… Their technique has been the same since the craftsmen dynasty was funded. The artist works for temples and other cultural buildings in Japan, where he works on ancient Japanese paper, with a talent everyone recognizes.
More information on homepage2.nifty.com/idt
Irisawa YOUKO, Atelier Ai
The workshop Ai proposes very original works presented on rolls and screens, according to traditional techniques, used for home decoration and fit with modern designs.
More information on koubouai.jp
Glass
Shigemi OKUBO
Shigemi OKUBO funded Studio Glass GEM in 1996 and since then has received many prizes in Japan for his creations. He uses many glasswork techniques: stained glass, painted glass, fusing, mosaic… One of his greatest works represent scenes from The Tale of Genji, on stained glass.
More information on www.glassgem.jp/toppage.html
Shinpei SHIMADA
Born in 1975 in Kumamoto, Shinpei SHIMADA started glasswork in 1996 in Okinawa. As the son of a museum director, he’s been surrounded by art, and adds his artistic sensibility to his creations. The artist keeps on improving his technique to propose quality products.
More information on shimadashinpeiglassworks.net
Yukari TAKASHIMA
The art of Edo kiriko dates back to the late 19th century’s Tokyo. It consists in engraving glass with patterns that were used only for traditional clothes in the past. Yukari TAKASHIMA uses Edo kiriko, and other glasswork techniques, and presents TV shows to teach her methods on channel NHK.
More information on glass-studio.blogspot.jp
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