［Nagasaki Prefecture］MIKAWACHI-YAKIThis pottery style is said to date back to kilns founded by Korean potters brought to Japan in the end of the 16th century, and has been exported to the Netherlands and China as well. In addition to his expertise of blue-and-white “sometsuke” patterns, Imamura Takamitsu specializes in the traditional technique of expressing in three dimensions the raised “okiage” patterns which have been drawing attention in recent years.

［Tokyo City］TŌKYŌ-TEGAKI-YŪZENDeveloped along with mer-chants’ culture as dyers who had been active in Kyoto and Kanazawa moved to Edo.Adding modern gradations of color to classical patterns, it features typically Edo “monochrome and stylish” expres-sions, executed as a whole from design through finishing.

［Kanagawa Prefecture］KAMAKURA-BORINotable for its textured carving, the warmth of the wood and the depth of the lacquered colors. Modeled after the “carved lacquer” brought from China by Buddhist image sculptors, who gathered in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture（then the heart of Japan）to create Buddhist artifacts and decorative pieces.

［Iwate Prefecture］IWAYADŌ-TANSU（FURNITURE）Dating back to the latter half of the 18th century, it is notable for sturdy fastenings and massive structure.Oikawa Yu works largely on latched chests of drawers on wheels.

Bringing the pride of “Cool Japan” to the worldhands-on displays of traditional crafts.

Held at “Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro”

■2/19（Thurs.）— 24（Tues.）■Tobu Department Store 　Ikebukuro 8F Event Hall

■Hours:10 a.m. -- 8 p.m.*Closing time will be 5p.m. on the final day

TTraditiaditional nal CraftsraftsExhibitionExhibition

Sponsor : The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries （DENSAN）

At the exhibition site, artisans from around Japan will demonstrate traditional methods of craftwork. Don’t miss this opportunity to lay hands on “the roots of Japan’s craftsmanship culture,” handed down for generations.

■ Textiles / Woven Patterns ■ Textiles / Woven Patterns［Saitama Prefecture］CHICHIBU-MEISENSilk woven texti les with a b a c k g r o u n d o f w e a v i n g techniques from the 17th century. The fabric has a unique opalescent shimmer. From 2/20（Fri.） through 2/22 （Sun.）, local trainees wil l demonstrate loom weaving.

［Yamagata Prefecture］UETSU-SHINAFUUsed for clothing and decora-tions for over two thousand years. Notable for its rough weave and subtle coloring, its threads are made from bast taken f rom the Japanese linden, which can be handled only with expert techniques.

■Textiles/Dyed Patterns ■ Ceramics

■ Lacquer Ware ■Woodcraft

■Woodcraft ■Woodcraft［Akita Prefecture］AKITA-SUGI-OKE-TARU（WOODWORK）

Oke-daru casks have been used for many years in daily life, to store foodstuffs and water.Kamata Kohei makes not only traditional products but also new designs suited to modern lifestyles.

［Kyoto Prefecture］KYŌ-SASHIMONO（WOODENWORK）

Kyo-sashimono woodwork, which originated in the culture of the nobles and developed along with the establishment of tea ceremony culture, has maintained old tradi-tions while also appearing in over-seas trade fairs, expanding sales routes through col laborat ion with Tokyo designers.

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［Kyoto Prefecture］KYŪ-BUTSUGU（HOUSEHOLD BUDDHIST ALTAR IMPLEMENTS）Kyo-butsugu are the overall product of techniques in woodworking, metalworking, lacquer and more.Nishimura Masahito produces decorative metalwork for Shintoist and Buddhist altar imple-ments, among other things.

［Nara Prefecture］NARA-FUDE（WRITING BRUSH）Said to originate in the early 9th century, when the priest Kukai brought the art of brush-writing to Japan from Tang China. The hair of over a dozen animals including squirrels and horses is used, with each individual hair soaked in water and hardened, then carefully mixed in the “nerimaze” method.

［Tokyo City］EDO-WAZAO（FISHING ROD）Edo Wazao fishing rods come of the most carefully selected natural bamboo, finely hand-crafted. They combine functionality and practicality with a precise beauty.H igh ly sk i l l ed artisans create Edo Wazao as a whole.

［Shizuoka Prefecture］SURUGA-TAKESENSUJI-ZAIKU（BAMBOO LATTICEWARE）Said to have originated as piecework for samurai in the early 17th century, this craft requires from 5 to 10 years to become a full-fledged artisan.Sugiyama Takahide has taken on the mantle of tradition while continuing to experiment with new styles. Last year, his work in collaboration with a lighting designer received the METI Minister’s Award at the Japan Traditional Craft Competition.

■Writing Tools ■ Dolls

〈 Regional Arts and Crafts 〉

［Yamaguchi Prefecture］AKAMA-SUZURI（INKSTONE）Because the sandpaper-like “hobo” used to grind the ink is fine-grained, Akama-suzuri inkstones produce richly colored, smoothly expressed ink.Hieda Yoichi handles everything from finding Akama stones to creation and sales. His products have been presented to the Crown Prince.

［Fukuoka Prefecture］HAKATA-NINGYŌSaid to originate in the unglazed dolls made by craftsmen under the patronage of the warlord Kuroda Nagamasa in the early 17th century.Takano Yukihiro expresses through his doll-making the peace of nature and the warmth of humanity.

■ Household Buddhist Altars and Fittings ■Writing Tools

［Shiga Prefecture］WA-RŌSOKU （JAPANESE CANDLE）Japanese candles offer stron-ger, longer-lasting light than their Western counterparts.Ohnishi Akihiro is one of the few candlemakers who can use the “Tegake” traditional handcrafting methods. He makes a point of using 100% sumac for candles which burn stably even among Japanese candles.

［Kagoshima Prefecture］SATSUMA TSUGE-GUSHI （ BOXWOOD COMB）

Said to originate from samurai piecework in the 18th century. Noted for their tough teeth and gloss which increases with use.Kita Tadao uses carefully selected wood from local trees for his painstaking creations.

http://www.tobu-dept.jp.e.eh.hp.transer.com/ikebukuro/event/10f/event_waza2015.html

■ Bamboo Craft■ Bamboo Craft