Category: Other

Written by TOMIKAWA Kyōko 　 【Table of Contents】 　 　 　 1. KAWAGUCHI Junpei: The Eighth-Generation Master of Matsue Rattan Artistry 　 　 　 It was during the “Kamiarizuki (神在月)” season—the month when all the deities are said to gather in Izumo—that I visited KAWAGUCHI...

Written by TOMIKAWA Kyōko 　 《Taxis Groove (Torn) 》2025｜Urushi, hemp cloth, other | Kanshitsu-technique｜116 x 86.5 x 90.3 cm ｜Photo: KORODA Takeru. Courtesy of ARTCOURT Gallery 　 　 Coming face-to-face with the works of ISHIZUKA Genta (石塚 源太), one cannot help but feel a sense...

Written by TOMIKAWA Kyōko 　 Jizai-okimono Fukue-maimaikaburi (自在置物フクエマイマイカブリ) (2024) This detailed replica of a Damaster blaptoides from Fukue Island has been meticulously crafted and ’brought to life’ using copper and copper alloy. Length: 7–8 cm. The articulation of the leg joints and the intricate detail...

 Written by TOMIKAWA Kyōko 　 ”Leaf Boat (spring)/一葉舟（春）”(H5.5×W28.0×D8.5cm, 2018, private collection)In green glass reminiscent of fresh spring leaves, geometric lines of gold and platinum are applied using the ‘kirikane’ technique, with tiny hexagrams embedded within.As a child, YAMAMOTO loved to float leaf boats in rain-fed...

　 Written by TOMIKAWA Kyōko 　 Kirikane (截金).This technique was brought to Japan around the 6th century with the spread of Buddhism. The method, known at the time as “kashoku-shōgon (加飾荘厳)”, was developed to present the world of Buddha. It involves decorating the robes, lotus...