4 Generations of ”hyogu” experts”I am happy to be working with my grandson,” Yasoji Maekawa, the 2nd generation of Edo Hyogu which dates back to the Taisho period, told us. A ”kyoji” refers to an artisan that designs and creates scrolls, hanging scrolls, Japanese folding screens and sliding screens. The son, Osamu Maekawa and the grandson have succeeded him as the 4th generation in the line. When Yasoji was young, he experienced an unfortunate tragedy, World War II. There were air raids and Tokyo became a field of burned ruins. People barely survived, with hardly anything to eat. Many of his colleagues looked for jobs elsewhere, but Maekawa decided to continue, following his belief that ”I can earn my living as long as I have glue and a brush.” |
Century old ”fusuma” (sliding screen) still in useThe ”hyogu” artisan’s tasks are varied. It is said to have originated with covers for Buddhist scrolls. Later when the tokonoma came into existence and ”sado” flourished, it led to demand for covers and designs for ceilings, walls, folding screens, sliding screens as well as restoration work. The world does not end with the completion of a piece, because there is a need for restoration and repairs. |
The art of ”kakejiku”It is the responsibility of the ”hyogu” artisan is ”to make it look good”. In other words, a picture or script is brought in by the client, and the ”hyogu” artisan mounts it. A good example is the ”kakejiku” or hanging screen. First the base made of ”washi” is chosen. ”Our job is to bring out the best features of the picture.” Yasoji stressed. |
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