When people picture the artisan they tend to imagine the craft locked in tradition, or the realm only of the older experienced hand who has dedicated their life towards honing their skills. However, it is worth remembering that these secrets are always passed on to the next generation, frequently down the family line, so that when you enjoy the work of the individual, you are actually appreciating the lineage of craftsmen that have gone before each with their own important contribution. For this season in the ongoing Takumi no Waza exhibition, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi places to the fore the importance of passing on not just the techniques in the respected artisan's arsenal, but also the pride in continuing one's family legacy in craft that ensures both longevity and innovation for their respective genres.
At the heart of every generational handover is the wish that the child will not just match, but exceed the parent, bringing their own generation's eye to tradition. So whether the techniques long-honed in Okinawa's kuruchi wood from Uehara Kogei that sees the dark material executed in ever-changing forms, or the newer crafts that make use of Japan's technological prowess such as Kyoto-based Atelier YOU's inventive use of coloured titanium that builds on three generations of metalwork, you will be able to see what the next in line brings to their genre through their work.
Visitors to the exhibition can enjoy a range of over 50 Japanese artisans across an eclectic range of mediums, many of whom will be giving live demonstrations so you can see for yourself the generations of skill and techniques that go into making them a master of their chosen, and inherited, craft.
Takumi no Waza Exhibition
Dates
June 28th - July 4th, 2016
Location
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Building and Annex 7F