Tale of Artisans Vol.9 “Uruwashi”

Tale of artisans Uruwashi

Shiba district in Tokyo is a place where you can still feel the wind of Edo-era. Shiba Park Hotel is a good old hotel that has weaved its way through time in harmony with the traditions and culture of this area. Shiba Park Hotel is also a library hotel with a diverse collection of books. We hold an exhibition called “Tale of Artisans” which tell stories of traditions (tales) that they have developed and nurtured.

Pamphlet (PDF)

Period

November 27 (Mon.), 2023 – March 3 (Sun.), 2024

Time

11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Please note that the exhibition will be open until 4:00 p.m. on the last day.

Location

1F Library Lounge/ 2F Foyer Book & Culture

Admission

Free

Curator: Nipponnowaza.com
(Managed by Braincafe Co., Ltd.)

Wajima-nuri & Karakami

In the tale of artisans Vol.9 with the theme of “Uruwashi,” we introduce “Wajima-nuri” which decorates our daily life gorgeously and “Karakami” which shines brightly. Two crafts that transform ordinary times into glorious days. Please enjoy yourself as long as time permits.

Everyday, gloriously.
The beginning of a new year, the season of excitement.

What is Wajima-nuri?

Wajima-nuri is one of Japan’s most famous lacquerwares. One of its main features is that a type of diatomaceous earth called “jinoko” from Wajima is mixed with the lacquer undercoating. This increases its durability. Multiple layers are applied as undercoating, then cloth is used as reinforcement, followed by the middle coating and top coating, and finally, the item is polished. This process alone creates quite a beautiful product, but some Wajima-nuri products are also sprinkled with gold or silver powder (maki-e) or are inlaid with gold (chinkin) as further decoration. The area of Wajima has produced many master artisans capable of making these decorations, some of whom were designated as Living National Treasures of Japan. In addition, Wajima-nuri itself was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Japan on April 25, 1977.

Tsuyoshi Nakayama

Born in 1960, in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. He graduated from the Interior Design Department at Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Vocational High School in 1979. He graduated from the Chinkin Department at the Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Institute of Lacquer Arts in1982. A traditional craftsman, who is enthusiastic about creating works that combine various painting techniques, centering on the “Chinkin” technique for decorating Wajima-nuri (from 2003).

1980 Wajima City Art Exhibition Honorable Mention Award
1987 Wajima-nuri Crafts Exhibition Wajima City Council Chairman’s Award
1988 Honorable Mention Award of Ishikawa Prefecture Traditional Industry Promotion Council Traditional Industry Skills and others

What is Karakami?

Karakami is decorative paper passed down from the Tang dynasty in China. Woodblock hand-printing and Karakami sprinkled with gold and silver dust have been applied to fusuma and folding screens to add gorgeous color to spaces since the Middle Ages. Over the Edo period, the production of Karakami, which started in Kyoto, developed into something that suited the Edo taste. There are three main techniques that are “Karakami-shi” for woodblock printing, “Sarasa-shi” using Ise katagami, and “Sunago-shi” using gold and silver foil and dust.

Yukio Koizumi

The third generation of Karakami-shi/Karagen, founded during the Edo and Kaei years. He is the 5th generation since first generation Shichigoro Koizumi, who was praised as a master craftsman during Edo. He has been studying under his father since he was 20 years old, and is engaged in the family business. Now his two sons, Masayuki and Akio are following in his footsteps.

2000 Traditional craftsman certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry 2002 Tokyo certified traditional craftsman
2002 Bunkyo Ward skilled master craftsman
2013 Tokyo Meister certification
2017 Nationally selected skill preservation holder certification
2019 Decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun
2020 Yashio City first class technician/artisan

Kikuchi Fusuma Manufacturing

A fusuma paper manufacturing factory founded in 1924. Within the traditional technique of Karakami, the technique of Sunago has been handed down. In 2015, in order to continue this traditional Japanese decorative technique, the Traditional Crafts Office was set up as a team specializing in traditional crafts. It is mainly engaged in activities such as producing custom-made fusuma paintings, and restoring Japanese paper decorations at shrines, Buddhist temples and old mansions, etc.

(Japanese only)
https://fusuma.co.jp/ippinshu/

Blissful Afternoon Tea

Restaurant The Dining’s afternoon tea features a variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese artisans, each with their own specialties, served on a single stand.
Edo cuisine Hanasanshou presents a Japanese apple compote with yuzu. From Chinese cuisine Peking, we offer Peking-style oolong tea tiramisu and the popular almond jelly topped with seasonal fruits. Western cuisine Primula offers a variety of specialties such as the classic gateau chocolate, handmade scones, and savory dishes.
Please enjoy them with a tea cup of your choice.

Koharu

Sweet luxury served with traditional Wajima-nuri

If you spend today carefully
Let’s go see the other side of our dreams tomorrow.
Please spend your sweet time with Japanese sake cocktails
That will make you feel like that.

Price

1,400JPY (tax included)
※Virgin cocktail is also available.
※15% service charge will be added to your bill

Tale of Artisans Vol.9 “Uruwashi”

Japanese Traditional Crafts

Wajima-nuri & Karakami

What is Wajima-nuri?

Tsuyoshi Nakayama

What is Karakami?

Yukio Koizumi

Kikuchi Fusuma Manufacturing

RISE Co., Ltd.

By Ginza Tsutaya Books

Books Recommended

The hotel's most prized culinary artisans

In a Restaurant with Tea, Sweets, and Books

Blissful Afternoon Tea

Seasonal Cocktail

Koharu