Bamboo has been a familiar presence in Japanese life since ancient times and is said to have been cultivated in Japan since the Jomon period. While the beauty of bamboo groves is well known, bamboo shoots are also beloved as a spring delicacy. Located in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, the vast bamboo farm “Wakatake no Mori Wakayama Farm” not only cultivates bamboo but also opens its grounds as a filming location and tourist spot, sharing the charm of bamboo with visitors.

Utilizing a farm that has been in operation for over 100 years as a tourist attraction

Spanning 24 hectares—equivalent to approximately five Tokyo Domes—the “Wakatsuki no Mori Wakayama Farm” features expansive chestnut orchards and bamboo groves. Located in the suburbs of Utsunomiya, this historic farm has been cultivating bamboo shoots and chestnuts for over 100 years.

While continuing its traditional cultivation of bamboo shoots and chestnuts, the farm opened its doors to the public in 2017. It has since gained attention as a tourist destination where visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the vast bamboo groves stretching as far as the eye can see.

Additionally, the farm has been used as a filming location for popular movies and dramas such as “Rurouni Kenshin” and “Kingdom,” as well as music videos by famous artists, attracting many fans who visit from afar for “pilgrimage tours.” The farm is operated by Wakayama Farm Co., Ltd., with Wakayama Taro serving as the company’s representative director. As the third-generation head of Wakayama Farm, Wakayama has been dedicated to promoting the charm of bamboo.

A filming location for famous movies

Wakayama’s ancestors moved to this area around the 1670s. Since then, the family has been farming the land and living in harmony with nature for over 350 years. Under Wakayama’s grandfather, the farm began as a bamboo and chestnut farm. Under his father, who was passionate about research, the farm shifted its focus to bamboo and chestnuts, with an emphasis on bamboo variety improvement.

In Mr. Wakayama’s generation, the farm gained rapid recognition after collaborating as a filming location for the music video of Shiina Ringo’s “Irohaihoheto” released in 2013 and the 2014 film “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends.”In modern times, where well-maintained, beautiful, and vast bamboo forests are rare, the farm’s mystical, majestic, and otherworldly landscapes made it an ideal location for creating such scenes. Word spread quickly, and the farm continued to be used as a filming location for numerous movies, dramas, music videos, and commercials.

Yoshiyama, who had long desired to share the beauty of the bamboo groves with more people, decided to open the site to the public in February 2017, responding to requests from fans who wanted to see the locations used in the films.

In 2019, it was used as a filming location for the hit movie “Kingdom,” gaining even more attention and popularity. The number of tourists has continued to increase every year, reaching 90,000 visitors annually as of 2024. Visitors can leisurely stroll through the impressive bamboo forest, enjoy matcha tea and sweets in a teahouse within the forest, and even ride a swing.Bamboo shooting and bamboo craft experiences are also available, and at night, visitors can walk through the enchanting bamboo forest illuminated by lights.

Additionally, the building adjacent to the entrance features exhibits explaining bamboo and showcasing traditional bamboo crafts, making it an enjoyable facility for visitors of all ages.

Bamboo: Large and Fast-Growing

There are about 20 species of bamboo, or more accurately, bamboo-like plants, that grow in Japan. Bamboo is not classified as a tree, but as a member of the grass family. It can grow up to 20 meters in just two months, and is known for its rapid growth and strong reproductive ability.

The part of the plant that is above ground, similar to the trunk of a tree, is called the “culm,” and it dies after about 10 years.However, the underground rhizomes, which form a network of roots, continuously produce new shoots that grow into new bamboo plants above ground.

According to Mr. Wakayama, this method of reproduction via rhizomes is a characteristic of bamboo native to East Asia, such as China and Japan, and it is this process that creates bamboo forests.

The original varieties are also utilized for urban landscaping.

Wakayama Farm, home to the “Wakayama Bamboo Grove,” cultivates approximately 100,000 bamboo plants, including the “Moso bamboo,” which is representative of Japan and grows to the largest size among Japanese bamboos, as well as the “Madake bamboo,” which has been native to Japan since ancient times, and the “Kikkou bamboo,” whose joints alternate in swelling to form a pattern resembling a turtle’s shell,“Kinmei Mousou-chiku” (golden Mousou bamboo) with beautiful golden stems, and “Hachiku” (light bamboo), among approximately 15 varieties.

Additionally, the farm is the only one in Japan specializing in the cultivation and sale of varieties for landscaping. Varieties such as “Akebono Mousou-chiku” and “Hime Akebono Mousou-chiku,” developed through the breeding efforts of Mr. Wakayama’s father, are original varieties of Wakayama Farm.In particular, “Hime Akebono Moso Bamboo” reaches a maximum height of approximately 9 meters, making it suitable for landscaping and enabling the creation of beautiful bamboo landscapes in facilities with limited space, such as those in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Promoting the appeal of bamboo as food

The bamboo at Wakatsuki no Mori Wakayama Farm is not just for viewing. The bamboo shoots and chestnuts cultivated over three generations for more than 100 years are sold in markets and highly regarded by professionals at inns and restaurants.

Adhering to the philosophy that “agriculture lies in soil cultivation,” the farm employs natural循环 farming methods that minimize reliance on chemical fertilizers. The “black bokudo” soil of the Kanto region is rich in organic matter, resulting in a dark color. It has excellent water retention and permeability, and its soft texture facilitates the accumulation of organic matter, leading to bamboo shoots with high nutritional value.

Processed products made from bamboo shoots and chestnuts are sold in the farm shop and online. In 2023, they opened a café and restaurant on the premises, serving dishes made with their own bamboo shoots and chestnuts, as well as seasonal ingredients from the local area.

Sharing the sustainable charm of bamboo with the world

Wakayama Farm, known as Wakayama no Mori, seems to be successfully promoting the appeal of bamboo. However, according to Mr. Wakayama, “In order for people to truly understand the benefits of bamboo, we need to continue making steady progress.”

This is because in recent years, abandoned bamboo forests have become a problem throughout Japan. Bamboo, which has a high reproductive capacity, invades and kills trees growing on mountains, leading to negative perceptions of bamboo, which is sometimes referred to as “bamboo damage.”

“In the past, people used to dig for bamboo shoots in the spring everywhere, but now that no one does, they keep spreading,” says Mr. Wakayama.

However, in reality, simply laying a thin rubber sheet on the ground can easily prevent rhizomes from spreading randomly. This method allows bamboo to be used as landscaping without harming surrounding trees. Additionally, from the perspective of the SDGs’ “plastic reduction” initiative, bamboo is durable and has antibacterial properties, making it suitable for use in dishes and utensils.

At Wakayama Farm in Wakayama, the bamboo utensils used to serve matcha tea at the tea house in the bamboo grove are designed to be taken home and reused.

Truly conveying the charm of bamboo means not only highlighting its positive aspects but also addressing negative perceptions and resolving existing issues one by one.

Though it may seem like a challenging journey, Wakayama’s voice is strong and optimistic: “I want more people to learn about bamboo-related food and culture, and use them effectively. I hope to convey the charm of bamboo and help people and bamboo coexist once again.”

As a messenger of bamboo’s new charm, this initiative will continue into the future.

The post Reviving Japan’s bamboo. Bamboo farmers at Wakatsuki no Mori Wakayama Farm, a popular filming location and tourist attraction in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Bamboo is a plant that has been a part of people’s lives since ancient times. Taking advantage of its beauty, flexibility, and rapid growth, people have skillfully processed bamboo and used it as daily utensils, building materials, and works of art. Bamboo craftsman Matsumoto Hafu has a deep respect for bamboo and continues to create works that bring out the best of bamboo’s charm. In recent years, Matsumoto’s works, such as his collaboration with the famous overseas brand LOEWE, have led many people into the fascinating world of bamboo crafts.

Pioneering New Beauty in Bamboo CraftsPioneering New Beauty in Bamboo Crafts

Based in Minami-Boso City, Chiba Prefecture, bamboo craftsman Hafu Matsumoto has been active not only in Japan but also in New York, Italy, and other countries. Pursuing the beauty of bamboo’s unique form, he has created a wide variety of works, from detailed Ajiro-weave works to bamboo designs, and has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Newcomer’s Prize at the 54th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 2007, the Grand Prize at the 48th East Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 2008, and the Governor of Tokyo’s Prize at the 61st Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 2014. In 2017, he had a solo exhibition at Ippodo New York.

Ms. Matsumoto studied under the traditional school of bamboo crafts as a grandson of Iizuka Rokansai, a leading figure in Japanese bamboo crafts, and a student of Iizuka Shokansai, a master craftsman and Living National Treasure (holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).

Meet the Master

I want to do work that appeals to people, work that I can pursue for the rest of my life. One day, he visited a traditional Japanese crafts exhibition and was shocked to see his master’s work on display.

When I saw his ‘stitching decorative box,’ I was amazed that such an exquisite work could be made from bamboo. I was looking for something I could pursue for the rest of my life, and I thought, ‘This is it! I thought, ‘This is it!

It was also an encounter with bamboo crafts that seemed to be guided by fate.

The next day, he visited his master and became an apprentice. For six months, he was busy with weeding, cleaning the house, running errands, etc., and was unable to even touch the bamboo. Later, he learned how to make materials and learn the six-strand weave, which has six knitting patterns, by watching and learning from others.

Mr. Matsumoto told us the following episode from those days. He learned by watching the shadows of his master’s knitting, and when he came home, the first thing he did was to draw the shadows on graph paper. Learning with your body. This is the culture of handwork, which is based on the basics to create something more creative. Matsumoto says, “As you pursue a technique, it becomes more and more ingrained in your body.” He continues, “People often say, ‘Watch and steal,’ which is probably a good thing about the old apprentice system. He was strict, but when I think about it now, he was kind to me. I am able to do my work now thanks to him. It’s the same as a parent’s love,” he said, looking back on those days with nostalgia.

Knowing the properties of bamboo and using a variety of techniques to create works of art

Mr. Matsumoto moved his base of operations from his home town of Sunamachi, Tokyo, to the Boso region of Chiba in 1988. This is because Chiba has long been a center of high-quality bamboo production.

There are many types of bamboo, including madake, moso bamboo, hachiku, and me-dake. Bamboo has a wide range of uses, including containers such as baskets, construction materials such as the frame of a straw-bale roof, hedges, landscaping, and, when burned, bamboo charcoal.

However, the number of bamboo wholesalers in the Boso region, which once numbered nearly 20, has dwindled to only one. In order to purchase materials, Mr. Matsumoto sometimes asks his acquaintances to introduce him to mountains where he cuts green bamboo himself. He also began making bleached bamboo, which is carefully washed one by one, roasted with a special gas burner, blown up, and dried in the sun.

Mr. Matsumoto actually knew the bleaching process in his head, but on the contrary, he noticed the qualities of bamboo and said with a smile, “It became more interesting. With a thorough knowledge of the qualities of bamboo, he uses a variety of techniques to sublimate his work to his image.

Unique Beauty

The gallery attached to his home displays a wide variety of works, including flower baskets, vases, decorative boxes, bamboo and leather collaboration products, Noshitake objects, and other strong and dynamic pieces, as well as finely torn and exquisitely woven pieces, which are just some of the many works that Matsumoto has created over the past half century using all of his skills. The exhibition also features a wide variety of works.

Influenced by his master, Kogansai, Matsumoto uses a wide variety of techniques to create works that are delicate, graceful, and dignified, making the most of the bamboo’s natural qualities.

The most striking feature of Matsumoto’s handiwork is the technique of weaving, which has been passed down through the generations in the Iizuka family, his master. I was amazed by the technique of stitch weaving, and its beauty led me to this path,” he says. Weaving several thin, uniform bamboo strips into a bundle is a highly technical skill, but the finished product is overflowing with the texture and beauty of bamboo, making the most of the materials that are the basis of bamboo craftsmanship.

Communicating Japan’s Attractiveness through Bamboo Crafts

On the other hand, many buyers and collectors are from overseas, including Europe and the U.S. Overseas collectors have a deep knowledge of Japanese culture and the history of bamboo. Bamboo is highly valued as “art” that transcends the common image in Japan as a tool for daily life. This is probably because the late American collector Lloyd Kotzen introduced his collection of bamboo crafts in New York and showed the world the unique beauty of bamboo. Based on this, Mr. Matsumoto has been looking overseas to enhance the value of bamboo crafts and to convey the charm of Japan through bamboo.

Drawing beauty from the characteristics of materials

In 2019, he presented a collaborative work with Spanish fashion brand LOEWE. Loewe’s creative director, Jonathan Anderson, approached him to create a collaborative work of bamboo and leather. Among them, the work woven by Mr. Matsumoto using Loewe’s leather with a color like real bamboo, showed the essence of what he has cultivated and the breath of a new era.

In 2024, he will also exhibit a lampshade at the Milano Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. The technique of skillfully handling the extensibility of bamboo, obtained through years of training, was inspired by “sunlight filtering through a bamboo thicket. It expressed a gentle light.

From a Western point of view, bamboo is something oriental and mysterious, and the collaboration with LOEWE made me rediscover the beauty of bamboo,” said Matsumoto. He says he was made aware of the beauty of bamboo’s knots, and is now devoting himself to noshitake works.

Half a century of history with bamboo crafts, and we will continue to deal with it.

After half a century of facing bamboo, his creative spirit has not ceased, as has his collaboration with foreign brands. Matsumoto says, “As I have come to understand the freedom and inconvenience of bamboo, I want to express bamboo more. And, “In the past, good work was partly about addition, but now I feel that subtraction is more beautiful,” he says. Through his daily devotion, he has arrived at the effects of addition and the aesthetics of subtraction. The idea is to draw out the essence by subtracting the superfluous.

In this context, Matsumoto says, “My goal for the future is to look back on the path I have taken since I was 20 years old. He will continue to follow his mentor’s aspirations, never forgetting his original intentions, and continue to explore, play, and ambitiously take on new challenges. He will continue to create works that take advantage of the natural beauty of bamboo’s formative qualities. Matsumoto will continue to captivate many people by capturing the inherent beauty of bamboo and the possibilities of traditional techniques in her works.

The post Bamboo craftsman Hafu Matsumoto captivates the world with the beauty of bamboo and traditional techniques. first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Suruga bamboo stripe work made with a unique technique

It is said that there are about 600 species of bamboo living in Japan. Because bamboo grows faster than other plants and can be used after only three years, and because of its superior strength and elasticity, it has supported Japanese life since ancient times, taking many forms, from daily necessities such as baskets, colanders, and chopsticks to farming tools and interior decorations. Bamboo crafts can be found in all regions of Japan, with flower baskets, tea bowl baskets, colanders, etc. as their origins, but the origin of Suruga bamboo sen-suji-zaiku in Shizuoka is said to be that Ieyasu Tokugawa had feeding boxes made for hawk hunting. Later, the number of shops selling insect baskets, paintbrushes, flower baskets, and other items increased. The characteristic of Suruga Bamboo Sen-suji-zaiku is that it is very detailed. While in other places, flat bamboo strips of 1.2 to 1.6 mm in diameter are generally made and woven, Suruga Bamboo Suji-zaiku uses round strips of bamboo split lengthwise and made into sticks of a specific width and thickness. The thickness of the bamboo is 0.3 to 0.4 mm, which is quite thin. The technique of bending bamboo by applying heat and the unique jointing technique are also different from bamboo crafts in other regions. In the Meiji period (1868-1912), bamboo crafts were exhibited as Japanese specialties at an international exposition held in Vienna, and the delicate atmosphere created by the bamboo strips and the unique techniques of Oriental bamboos were more popular than those of Western countries, leading to the export of many products overseas.
Suruga Bamboo Sen-suji-zaiku is said to have “a thousand bamboo stripes within a three-foot span. While other production centers “weave” bamboo, here we “assemble” it. Unlike other bamboo crafts that developed from farming tools, this style of bamboo crafting is said to have started with insect cages to hold bellbugs.

Bamboo crafts are popular as bags for enjoying the seasons

Mr. Sugiyama is the third son of a Suruga bamboo Sen-suji-zaiku craftsman. After graduating from high school, he worked at a doll store in Osaka before studying under Tetsuo Watanabe, a traditional craftsman of “Suruga Bamboo Sen-suji-zaiku” and inheriting the traditional techniques. Sugiyama’s work has been used in high-class hotels and inns, and his collaboration with a lighting artist won the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award at the National Traditional Crafts Competition. The workshop is lined with a variety of bamboo works, including insect cages, wind chimes, and the company’s namesake andon lanterns. The most eye-catching among them are bags that look like they are about twice the size of an insect cage.

Bags have been popular for the past few years. It seems that many of the younger generation are buying them. Some people say that bamboo bags can only be used in summer, but I think that’s fine. I think it is fine to have bags that can be enjoyed in any season. Bamboo crafts peak after 10 or 20 years. It will change to a very nice color. Classic cars are more fun than the latest cars, aren’t they? It is also chic to enjoy the inconvenience of bamboo crafts that can only be used in summer,” says Sugiyama. It is also a good idea to enjoy the way the texture changes over time. While preserving traditional techniques, they evolve with the times. In this way, the tradition of Suruga Bamboo Sen-suji-zaiku will be handed down to the next generation.

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

優雅で繊細な伝統工芸 「駿河竹千筋細工 黒田英一」／静岡県静岡市 – NIHONMONO 江戸時代から伝わる駿河の竹細工 伝統工芸士 黒田英一さんの指導を受けながら、中田が真剣な顔で作業している。繊維

The post Suruga Bamboo Striped Craft: “Miyabi Andon” creates works from delicate bamboo strips first appeared on NIHONMONO.

A world-renowned collector of bamboo crafts resides in Shioya Town, Tochigi Prefecture. They gather artworks, folk crafts, clothing, and decorative items from ancient to contemporary times, sourced from regions outside Europe, and exhibit their collection at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Additionally, they have contributed significantly to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, known for hosting one of the world’s largest exhibitions on bamboo baskets.

“What kind of person is Masamitsu Saito, the bamboo craft collector?”

Masamitsu Saito, the bamboo craft collector, has a diverse background. In addition to the aforementioned museums, he has coordinated exhibitions such as the “Bamboo Sculpture: The Lloyd Cotsen Collection Exhibition,” held in six locations across Japan, including Tokyo and Oita, which showcased the pioneering Japanese bamboo craft collector Lloyd Cotsen’s collection. He has also been involved in coordinating exhibitions at art museums both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, he has contributed to numerous publications and media programs, including NHK’s “Bijutsubako” series featuring bamboo baskets.

He was born and raised in Shioya Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Mr.Saito, one of the world’s leading collectors of bamboo crafts, was born and raised in Shiotani Town, Tochigi Prefecture. Shiotani Town, located at the foot of Takahara Mountain, which spans the surrounding areas of Nikko, Nasu-Shiobara, and Yaita, is known as a village of springs. Takahara Mountain is designated as one of the “Top 100 Forests for Water Source Conservation” and boasts “Shojin-sawa Springs,” selected as one of Japan’s top 100 famous waters by the Ministry of the Environment, making it a land abundant with some of Japan’s finest water sources.

During a visit to the mountainside of Shiotani, the curator of Le Blanc-Ri.

In this lush greenery, where the original landscape of the Satoyama remains, stands a traditional Japanese house, which serves as Saito’s base in Tochigi. Within the space of this old house, collections perfectly suited to its atmosphere were carefully arranged. As I gazed in admiration at the beautiful bamboo baskets, he shared a surprising revelation: “The curator of Le Blanc-Ri Museum also came here and selected baskets.” It’s hard to imagine that in this remote corner of Tochigi, discussions and selections for an exhibition that would attract attention from around the world were taking place.

Japanese bamboo craftsmanship, which has been admired since the Edo period.

Baskets have long been used as everyday items, but the baskets collected by Mr. Saito are of a different lineage. They are called “hanagago” and are said to have originated from China during the Muromachi period. Hanagago brought in from China were referred to as “karumono” and became popular as utensils for sencha from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. However, due to their popularity, there was a shortage of them, prompting Japanese artisans to create imitations of karumono. According to Mr. Saito, it was the practice of engraving the name of the artist on the hanagago, made more delicately than the karumono, that marked the beginning of Japan’s bamboo craft. These baskets, elevated from everyday items to works of art, began to be exported overseas from the Edo period. Seibo’s collection also includes many Japanese bamboo baskets, indicating that Japanese-made baskets are still highly regarded worldwide, as evidenced by their presence in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, Netherlands.

Why is Tochigi Prefecture famous for bamboo carefts?

Actually, Tochigi Prefecture is one of the well-known places in Japan for bamboo craftsmanship. One reason for this could be attributed to the renowned bamboo craft artist, Rokansai Iizuka, who was born in Tochigi City in 1890 and flourished before and after the war. The Iizuka family had been bamboo craftsmen for generations and were a well-known basket-making family in the area. His father was the first-generation Houzai Iizuka, and his brother was the second-generation Houzai Iizuka. There were many disciples and followers of the Iizuka family in Tochigi, which further spread their craft. It’s believed that this extensive network of disciples and the family’s reputation contributed to Tochigi Prefecture becoming famous for bamboo craftsmanship.

What kind of baskets and bamboo craftsmanship does Rokansai Iizuka create?

Rokansai received a bronze award at the 1925 Paris Exposition Universelle, and furthermore, exhibited at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. He was also known for crafting items used in the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho and presentation items for Emperor Showa. According to research by Mr. Saito, Rokansai’s baskets are unique in that they incorporate foreign elements while being interpreted through a Japanese lens, which sets him apart from other artists. Rokansai’s baskets, which gained fame at the Paris Exposition Universelle, quickly became renowned and garnered attention from overseas.

The job of bringing unknown entities to public awareness in the world of bamboo craftsmanship.

Many of Japan’s old bamboo crafts lack documentation, so while Mr. Saito collected them, he also conducted research. He visited the families of craftsmen who had made the items themselves, gathering data and compiling them to elevate bamboo crafts to the level of fine art, contributing to exhibitions. It’s likely that thanks to Mr. Saito’s efforts, these items became worthy of display in renowned art museums around the world.

From the encounter with bamboo craftsmanship to the journey of collecting

Many of Japan’s old bamboo craftworks lack documentation, so while Mr. Saito engaged in collecting, he also conducted extensive research. He visited the families of craftsmen who had created these artworks, gathering data and compiling them to elevate bamboo craftsmanship to the realm of fine art, actively contributing to exhibitions. It’s likely that thanks to Mr. Saito’s efforts, these items became valuable pieces worthy of display in renowned art museums around the world.

From the encounter with bamboo craftsmanship to the process of collecting

Mr.Saito, who is now active worldwide, began collecting bamboo craftworks about 40 years ago, starting with an encounter with a basket maker by chance. “The basket he showed me was so beautiful that it looked like a contemporary artwork,” he said. Thinking that the artist was creating contemporary art, he was surprised to learn that the artist knew nothing about contemporary art. “Even without knowing contemporary art, he could create such beautiful things!” Mr.Saito was shocked and intrigued, and from there, his long journey of collecting began.

Rather than just gathering objects, he wants to convey the essence of the objects.

When Saito-san first saw the basket, he felt a sense of “wonderful and high-level craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty,” which convinced him that it surpassed contemporary artworks. He had the idea that it would be interesting to bring this basket into the context of contemporary art. From there, he began activities such as holding exhibitions of bamboo craft artists in contemporary art galleries. He discovered that there were many people in the United States who were also collecting bamboo baskets, which became an opportunity for connection. As he deepened his interactions with them, he became influenced by them, and his collecting continued to progress further. Before he knew it, 40 years had passed. He said, “I collected to hold exhibitions, but perhaps the desire to convey was stronger than the desire to collect.”

Saito-san had knowledge of promotion from his experience working for a record company in his 20s. Using this know-how, he intentionally utilized the media for promotion, such as featuring exhibitions on television and in magazines, which led to the success of his exhibitions. The secret to spreading the charm of bamboo craftsmanship from a time when it wasn’t as well-known might lie in this approach. While there were undoubtedly challenges, he said with a smile, “In the end, I kept doing it because it was fun.”

I want to attract people from overseas and within the country by revitalizing the Satoyama area, focusing on old folk houses

Mr.Saito mentions that Japan is likely the only country in the world that handles bamboo, a supple and delicate material, as a craft. However, he notes that it is mainly foreigners who collect bamboo craftworks. This is attributed to the collection of the late Lloyd Cotsen, primarily in the United States, which helped convey the splendor of bamboo craftsmanship to people. The collection has since been donated to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, where it can still be viewed today. As a result, there has been an increase in collectors in the United States, Europe, and across Asia, including China. Taking all this into account, Saito-san expresses a desire to enhance the value of bamboo craftsmanship as fine art and explore various avenues to challenge the market.

Bamboo craftsmanship collaborating with fashion and architecture.

Bamboo craftsmanship is seen as applicable to textiles and architecture as well, with plans for collaborations with fashion and architectural projects in mind. This involves proposing ideas to artists, placing orders, and exploring the infinite possibilities of bamboo. Yet, the hope is also for it to remain familiar and accessible. Bamboo craftsmanship requires technical skill, is challenging to produce in large quantities, and is expensive. By combining it with different materials and designs, the aim is to make bamboo craftsmanship more accessible and contemporary. Emphasizing concepts and designs, the goal is to attract young people to the world of bamboo craftsmanship and expand its reach with rich ideas.

The ideal place for a bamboo basket is where it naturally belongs.

Bamboo craftsmanship is envisioned to resonate with textiles and architecture, and plans for collaborations with fashion and architectural projects are underway. This involves proposing ideas to artisans, commissioning work, and exploring the boundless potential of bamboo. Yet, there’s a desire for it to remain accessible and familiar. Bamboo craftsmanship demands technical expertise, is challenging to produce in large quantities, and is costly. By integrating it with different materials and designs, the aim is to make bamboo craftsmanship more approachable and contemporary. Emphasizing concepts and designs, the goal is to engage young people and expand the world of bamboo craftsmanship with innovative ideas.

The ideal place for a bamboo basket is where it naturally belongs.

Mr.Saito expresses his desire for not only collectors seeking bamboo craftsmanship but also all foreigners and Japanese people interested in it to see the “ideal form” of baskets. The “ideal form,” in essence, is a portrayal that naturally fits into the landscape of Satoyama, such as the scenery preserved in Shibata Town. It evokes a nostalgic image of traditional Japanese landscapes. To realize this vision, he aims to develop and attract people to this old folk house and its surroundings. Saito-san’s dream of making the world of bamboo baskets more accessible is immeasurable.

The post “I want to show the world the scenery of a rural village with baskets.” – Masamitsu Saito, a collector of bamboo crafts. first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Bamboo Crafts with Flexibility

It can be woven in a way that gives it a delicate, silky look or a rough, unspoiled natural look, and can be shaped at will, depending on how it is woven. It can be a useful utilitarian item such as a flower basket or basket bag, or it can be an abstract work of art. It is strong, flexible, and has antibacterial properties. Midoriya, a store specializing in bamboo crafts, is located a five-minute walk from JR Nippori Station, near the “Yuyake Dandan,” which is a symbol of Yanaka Ginza and still retains the atmosphere of the old downtown area. Nearby is a famous shaved ice shop that always has a line out the door on weekends, and the store is located at the entrance to a lively shopping street that is a popular tourist attraction. The owner of this 110-year-old store is Suiko Buseki, a bamboo craftsman who was born in 1958, learned from his grandfather and father, and has preserved the history of bamboo crafts in Tokyo.
Even now, I still learn a lot from bamboo,” he says. Each type of bamboo has its own characteristics, depending on the type and where it grows, and the color, luster, and expression of the bamboo changes depending on how it is modified. Bamboo gives the impression of being bendable, doesn’t it? But if you bend it forcibly, it hurts the bamboo. So even when I have an idea for a piece, it takes time to choose the right bamboo for it,” says Suiko Takeki.

In a gallery near Midoriya, Suiko’s works, created by listening to the voice of the bamboo, are on display. Many of Sui Tako’s works are beautifully and intricately braided flower baskets made of black or brown colored bamboo strips.
He said, “It is very intricately woven, but the shape is very simple. You can feel that the bamboo is not forced.

Bamboo Crafts Popular Overseas

He says that he often gets ideas for his works from nature.
He says, “When I take a walk at night and look at the moon, I want to draw its curves. Water, light, and air …… are the best teachers.
Japanese bamboo crafts are not well known to many people, but they are highly appreciated overseas, even more than in Japan. Suiko is one of Japan’s leading bamboo craftsmen whose works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Scotland, and other museums and art galleries overseas.
When I go to museums overseas, I am surprised to see Japanese bamboo crafts from 150 years ago on display. Of course, I am very happy to see such things, but I would like more young Japanese people to be interested in bamboo crafts.
We recommend that you take a stroll and visit Midoriya to experience the depth of bamboo crafts.

The post Suiko Takezeki of Suiya Bamboo Crafts, which creates practical works using traditional techniques first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Bamboo crafts have been passed down from generation to generation with each generation having its own unique style.

Bamboo craft artist Chikuunsai Tanabe IV creates his works in a small workshop in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. Passing through a lattice door, one comes to a small courtyard. To the left of the pathway lined with paving stones is a glass-walled room. Mr. Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, dressed in samue, and three young men are working silently. His works are in the collections of the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His and successive generations of Chikuunsai’s works are displayed in the entrance and living room. Vases and objets d’art made of countless thinly shaved and woven bamboos. The curved surfaces of the bamboo have a delicate yet unique tension.
I have lived with bamboo crafts since I was a child. My grandfather and father used to work with bamboo in the house, and I learned to do it by watching and imitating them. I was also taught tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy, all of which have come in handy today. When I was an art student in Tokyo, there were times when I wanted to pursue other paths, but in the end, perhaps it was embedded in my DNA, and I returned to my parents’ house to take over Chikuunsai.

Tanabe Chikuunsai is the name of a bamboo craftsman whose name has been passed down in Sakai. The first generation participated in domestic as well as international expositions from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period, the second generation created the technique of sukashi weaving, which expresses the beauty of light and shadow through the openwork of bamboo, and was awarded the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, and the third generation created a style of creating a surface by using arrow bamboo in a composition of dots and lines. Each generation has built up its own style while passing down the advanced techniques of bamboo craftsmanship.

Preserving the Charm of Bamboo Crafts in Japan

While making traditional flower baskets and tea ceremony utensils, Mr. Tanabe has also exhibited his works at exhibitions and installations around the world, where he fills large spaces with bamboo works. Bamboo crafts can take any shape depending on how they are woven, but the giant objects, more than 8 meters tall and made of more than 10,000 bamboo strips, are incredibly powerful, even when seen in photographs alone. The artist said, “I move around with the bamboo strips and assemble them sensuously by looking at the space. When the exhibition is over, we dismantle them and move them again. Perhaps it can be said that bamboo is unique in that it can be recycled over and over again in this way.

In addition to his works, he also nurtures human resources. He has accepted 12 apprentices over the past 10 years, and has put a lot of effort into nurturing the next generation. When I trained under my father, it was like working with bamboo 24 hours a day without a break. But if we did that nowadays, no one would follow us. Both the works and the training methods must change with the times. As long as the essence of bamboo craft is conveyed, I think the system can change rapidly. I think the system should change as much as possible as long as the essence of bamboo crafts is conveyed to the next generation. Isn’t that the best job there is?”
Most of his works are also purchased by overseas collectors.

If you only think about business, it would be better to sell everything overseas,” he says. But that would mean that there would be no bamboo crafts left in Japan. That is why I would like to have about 20% of my products bought domestically, so that I can convey the appeal of bamboo crafts as much as possible. My current goal is to make bamboo crafts artists a job that everyone would admire.” Beautiful, yet somehow fragile, and with a strength that will not break no matter how much it bends or bends. It would be a shame to let the appeal of bamboo crafts be monopolized only by people overseas. Mr. Tanabe also actively holds exhibitions, workshops, and hands-on classes at his studio in Japan, so if you have a chance, please come and see his work.

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

150年以上も生きる桶「藤井製桶所」／大阪府堺市 – NIHONMONO 生活の変化によって減少していった製桶所 意外なことに、日本で木製の大桶を作ることのできるところは数少ない。そも

NIHONMONO – 「にほん」の「ほんも…

飛鳥時代から継承される宮大工の技「金剛組」／大阪府大阪市 – NIHONMONO 日本最古の建築会社「金剛組」 大阪市・天王寺区にある金剛組は、全国の神社や寺の建設や修復を手掛ける宮大工専門の

The post Infinite Formative Beauty “Tanabe Chikuunsai IV” first appeared on NIHONMONO.

What is Torigoe Bamboo Craft

”Torigoe Bamboo Craft is said to be a ”kogei” that has a tradition of 1000 years”, said Megumi Shibata who has been making Torigoe Bamboo Craft in Torigoe area in Ichinohe city of Ninohe ward in Iwate. It is said that the monk who founded Torigoe Kannon temple brought this, and it is believed that the origin goes back to the Heian Period.
Torigoe Bamboo Craft takes the local thin bamboo called ”Suzu Take” which is split in four, and the inner part is scraped then women tightly to make it strong. Like it was in the old days, they still make daily ”utilities” such as baskets, sieves and trunks for storing clothes. It is a traditional ”kogei” that is close to our daily life. Also, as you use it for a long time, it creates a special gloss and atmosphere which attracts many fans and repeat customers.

Things that change with time

Shibata is worried that the artisans are getting old, and the number of younger artists is not increasing. ”The number of people who want to learn as hobby is increasing, but not much for those who wants to do it as work… Therefore, I want to spread it more to the younger generation.” Shibata told us.
For that, they need a design that is suited to the modern lifestyle. Nakata asked what has changed and Shibata replied, ”When we talk about a round basket, there were only simple round baskets. But to suit the shape of the modern kitchen, we have started to make oblong shaped baskets too.” She said she was also thinking about combinations with other materials.
”But I am not a professional for other materials, and that makes things difficult. We are talking about collaborating with other lacquer artists and carpenters.”
Following that conversation, Nakata also contributed with other ideas.
”Most items are basically round. Can you add many sharp corners?”
”That might be an idea, but with the current particular technique it may be difficult.”
”How about making tableware baskets that can be stacked up. You can put the rice bowl at the bottom and put the chopsticks at the top. Making variations by changing the density of the weave and interchanging the combinations.”
”That is a great idea. When we talk like this, it is really fun that many ideas that I may never have thought of come up. I will definitely try it and send you the prototype.”

It is sad to see the craftsmen disappearing

In the old days, Torigoe Bamboo Craft was made as a source of supplemental income for the farmers when they did not have any farm work. It was a precious source of cash income. During the Edo Period it was featured as local ”kogei” but according to Shibata ”it was in fact made by the farmers only during the winter. Probably it was made in most households.”
Shibata was born and raised in Torigoe. So Torigoe Bamboo Craft has always been close to her life. She watched her mother make it since she was a child. But she cold us, ”She didn’t teach me how. She was busy with many things and never had the time.” When her mother became ill, it made her sad to realize that no one would be able to make them, so she taught herself how to make the crafts.
Many things exist around us now as a daily tool that has been passed on from the past, or ”kogei” that are rooted in the community. In the small village at the northern part of Iwate prefecture, a bamboo craft with 1000 years history is still being passed along.

The post “Torigoe Bamboo Craft Artist, Megumi Shibata” Craft with 1000 years of history first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Sofa Weaved with Bamboo

We were first shown Yagisawa’s works displayed on a shelf. They were mostly vases and baskets. The intricate weaving which resemble miniature paintings were astonishing, while some works are roughly woven　and highlight the bamboo material. They give a sturdy impression emit a different kind of charm compared to the delicate ones.
But out of all the works, what surprised Nakata the most was the bamboo sofa. A sofa made by carefully bending and weaving bamboo.
It took some courage to sit on this sofa so roughly woven that the other side can be seen through, not a tightly woven one. Nakata sits hesitantly, but there is no discomfort. It is none other than a real sofa.

Bamboo that Enables Sofa

Since the sofa is woven roughly, it becomes an indirect lighting when light is placed inside. The room is illuminated with a strange light bringing about an exotic atmosphere. “this is so interesting.” Said Nakata and did not move for some time. One would think an accurate plan is necessary, but Yagisawa does not draw a plan and says the only plan is in his head.
He says it is possible by knowing the bamboo. They go in to the mountain to cut down the bamboo they use themselves. The standard is a three years old bamboo. A younger bamboo would be too soft while an older one would be too hard to use. We were shown a fine bamboo which grew in a cedar forest in Ohtawara. It was a beautiful bamboo without scar on surface, unlike bamboos that grow in a bamboo forest.

The charm of bamboo spread by a ring of people

Some artists were working in the studio. They quietly keep weaving the bamboo with skillful motions.
Yagisawa taught them skills of bamboo craft in hopes to spread the attraction of bamboo to many people. He taught so that each becomes an artist who can complete all processes. At the same time, he took individual talent into account such as whether a student is good at delicate works or rough ones. Many of his apprentices now gather for workshops and hold joint exhibitions. The charm of bamboo along with the ring of people associated with bamboo craft continues to grow.

At the end of our visit, they showed us a documentary film about the works of the late Keizo Yagisawa who is the father and mentor of Yagisawa. The late Keizo Yagisawa learned the skills for bamboo craft and founded the base for bamboo craft in Ohtawara. His enthusiasm did not stop in Japan, but went on to teaching techniques of bamboo craft in poverty areas, which had no industry, in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and China.
Watching the fine hand movements in the movie, Nakata repeated “amazing” and “it’s beautiful” many times. Yagisawa also nodded every time, letting out “It is amazing.”
“I see from the hand movements that he has done this many times.”
Pursuing the possibilities of bamboo craft and teaching the charms of bamboo to many people, Yagisawa keeps working with the passion he inherited from his father inside of his heart.

The post From Intricate Art to the Sofa Surprise “Bamboo Artist, Masashi Yagisawa” first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Bamboo Craft as Art Work

Noboru Fujinuma’s works belong in the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. He is highly acclaimed in Japan being awarded the Japan Master of Traditional Crafts Society Exhibition Prize and Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, but he may be more renown overseas.
About 15 years ago, an agent from the United Sates was moved by Fujinuma’s works and wanted to exhibit them. Since 2001, his works are exhibited in EXPO CHICAGO every year which is literary a gathering place for “art”. Paintings by Modigliani has been exhibited in the same art show. It is an art show with approximately 160 exhibitors where works can be purchased. Fujinuma’s works gained appraisal at the show.

Works with Tension

Fujinuma’s works which are recognized as art, is strong and full of impact. This impact is brought out by tension. And being “close to the bamboo” is the source of the tension according to Fujinuma .This impact is brought out by tension. And being “close to the bamboo” is the source of the tension.
”I would rather create shapes utilizing bamboo rather than my will. It’s not appropriate to create form forcefully. For example, bamboo from the Meiji era is different from that of today, therefor if one tries forcefully to create a work like the as ones from the Meiji era, the bamboo may break. You have to create works that are in line with today’s bamboo.”
“For example.”, said Fujinuma as he took out a vase designed by using a node　on a piece of bamboo. It cannot be used as a basket, but by utilizing the node, a design with tension is accomplished.

Being a Japanese Artist

When asked what Fujimuma keeps in mind as an artist, he answered “Being Japanese.”
“I aim to persistently appeal myself as Japanese to the world. That can only be done with culture. Technology can be the same in most places, but culture I think is unique to each country. In that sense, I’d be happy if I succeed in appealing the country of Japan to the world.”
Fujinuma is already highly acclaimed having many works included in American museums, never the less his aspirations remain much higher.
“I want to achieve something that the following generation cannot easily transcend. Then, newcomers to this world would not lose interest. A small obstacle will be too easy to go above, it wouldn’t be exiting. That is why I still want to try many things.”
Fujinuma says he felt the same way himself. When he worked as a photographer, he often shot craftsmen and thought “I can do this” and entered this world, but he has not left since there are yet obstacles to overcome.

The post Japanese Art Acknowledged Overseas, “Bamboo Craft Artist, Noboru Fujinuma” first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Suruga bamboo craft from Edo period

With instruction from Eiichi Kuroda, the traditional craftsman, Nakata took to his task with a serious expression on his face.
Splitting bamboo in line with the fiber, and pressing it onto a heated ”doran” to create the round shape.
Then Kuroda makes pin holes about 1 mm in diameter.
Nakata then takes the thin bamboo strands, bends them with an electric soldering iron, and weaves them into the holes Kuroda made, one by one.
If the bamboo sticks are not bent exactly the same way, the overall lines look uneven and are not beautiful in the finished product. This is a task which requires a delicate touch.

The craft Nakata had experienced was the bamboo craft called ”Suruga Bamboo Sensuji Craft”.
By bending or weaving the bamboo sticks, and combining them with other items, flower vases, sweets jars, lanterns and insect cages can be made. It started when during the Edo era, the samurai warriors took them on as side jobs. They were traditional crafts sold as precious souvenirs for people who crossed the Tokaido Road.

The traditional and the modern

In Kuroda’s family, they began applying a coat of lacquer on the Suruga bamboo sensuji craftwork. On his mother’s side, his grand father and uncle were involved in bamboo craft making, and everybody around him were all craftsmen. But the town burned down during the Great Shizuoka Air Raid when Kuroda was 14 years old.
When Kuroda returned from where he had evacuated at 16, he thought ”I need to have a skill.” He became an apprentice at his uncle’s workshop and was able to become independent five years later. It has been more than 60 years since then. Kuroda has been making Suruga bamboo sensuji crafts exclusively since the beginning.

One of the characteristics of Kuroda’s work is the unique shape.
He told us, ”You always have to make new things which match the time, or you will end up losing tradition as well.” Finding inspiration in everyday life and objects, he tries to create new shapes using new weaving techniques.
His devotion to the craft has been recognized, and in 2007, he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
His pieces also have modern feel, so it fits well not only in tea rooms or Japanese style rooms, but also in western style rooms as a Japanese interior decoration.
The delicately carved Suruga bamboo sensuji craft adds elegance.

Nakata was working silently, but eventually he raised his face and said ”I did well, didn’t I?” and raised his thumb.
Kuroda nodded with a smile on his face and said a single word, ”Good!”.
A sensuous Suruga bamboo sensuji crafted flower vase was completed.

The post Elegant and delicate traditional kogei “Suruga Takesensuji Craft, Eiichi Kuroda” first appeared on NIHONMONO.