Things that comes to mind when you face a chestIn Iwate, there is a craft called ”Iwatanido Chest”. Originally it was made in the 1100’s during the time when Kiyohira Fujiwara poured a lot of energy into industry and religion. Many years later in the late 1700’s, the lord of Iwatanido castle, Muramasa Iwashiro had one made with wheels. In 1800s the trend was to incorporate decorations using ”Chokin (Metal carving)”. And thus formed the current Iwatanido Chest. We visited the studio Fujisato Mokkojo where Koichi Oikawa makes this Iwatanido Chest. |
Things that change with timeMany things changed through the changes in time. For example, metal fixtures. In the old days, the fixtures that adorned the chest was all metal carved by hand by the artists. But nowadays, most are made by casting from one mold. ”However,” Oikawa commented, ”it doesn’t mean carving is good and the casting is bad. It’s a change with time. In fact casting is more heavy and feels better. The value is different with each person.” |
There will not be a loss of interest for creationOikawa not only carries on the tradition but also takes on new challenges like incorporating a harmonica into a chest. ”I can’t really call this an Iwatanido chest”, he told us as he showed us a chest with a harmonica set in the drawer, so it would play as the drawer was opened. |
ACCESS
- YK Fujisato Mokkojo
- 185 Kanisawa, Tawara, Esashi-ku, Oshu, Iwate Prefecture