Japanese traditional crafts reflecting the needs from everyday use

What image would you have when you hear the word traditional crafts?

Traditional may give you some impression that relates to something expensive, significant, and has artistic value; it may also suggest that would not fit in daily use.

However, it is not necessarily so.

Aizu region, where I introduced in the last article, cultivates cotton, and the cotton is well-reputed as a material of traditional craft.

Cotton is not expensive and is so convenient in use that it has been used mainly for cloth. In fact, cotton in Aizu has been used for daily cloths and wears for working on a farm since the past.

As times change, Aizu cotton has been used for other applications besides cloths. For example, bags, business card holders, book covers, etc. Depending on the variation of its stripe-design, it is also used for curtains. For some, you may not be able to recognize that the material is cotton at a glance. Business card holders made of cotton should draw attention because they usually use materials like leather or some light metals.

With above examples, you will see that Aizu cotton is used not only for cloths but also for various products. Many of those new applications have been introduced based on the needs of users, and well accepted from time to time.

I bought a business card holder and a book cover. I have found they are quite comfortable in use and I have been getting fond of them gradually.

 Aizu cotton having been used for many years in tradition and well established as a brand, I believe it has high flexibility to fit in many new applications.

This should also be the case with other traditional crafts. Preservation of old style in old applications need to be kept, in the mean time, like Aizu cotton, I am sure that new applications reflecting people’s needs in the span of time should also give liveliness and freshness in tradition.


Written by Yabuuchi

Aizu-Hongo Porcelain ~To-Bo (craft atelier) Irori~ 2

This is a potter’s wheel, called “rokuro” in Japanese. 

Put clay on the wheel, rotate it till a fine cylindrical shape comes out. Using the pedal on the right, you can control the speed of its rotation. Mr. Baba handles the machine easily and smoothly, but it was much more difficult than I first imagined before I tried.

Soaking the hands in water, and subtly adjusting the power of both hands, you can change the shape of clay freely, flattening or straightening. Mr. Baba looks to be able to change the shape without difficulties, but he says “It took 3 months for me to master these skills”. Naturally, one-day experience for me is too short to master.

Mr. Baba makes each porcelain by hand. “The look of each porcelain varies by handmade,” he says. “Of course, I have the skill to make the same shape one after another by using a mould. But, it is not at all interesting, and for painting, either. When looking at a product, you can tell the difference of expression between handmade and molded ones.”

Porcelain making requires that you should concentrate all alone for hours and hours, in the mean time, you cannot make many at a time. What brings him joy?  “I’m very happy to see my customers come back asking for another piece of work. This makes me believe that my work is well accepted and used by them.” Mr. Baba so expresses his moment of joy.

“At first, when I just opened my own studio, I could not have confidence in my work because nobody came and bought. Eventually, I found out, however, that the most important thing is to pursue what I like in shape. Now, there is no hesitation or anxiety. I am happy that I can make a living, as well, out of it.”

Living in the era of mass production and mass consumption, handmade crafts refresh our senses. And for me, it was a precious time that I could sense the breathing of Japanese craftsmanship.

Written by Yabuuchi

Aizu-Hongo Porcelain ~To-Bo (craft atelier) Irori~ 1

Varieties of porcelain wares are made all around Japan. “Arita” porcelain, which we deal with, is just one of those many. This time, I would like to introduce you a story of “Aizu-Hongo” porcelain made in a region called, Aizu.

 Aizu is in the north-east of Japan, or called, Tohoku region. It is famous for heavy snow in winter. There is an area called “Hongo” in Aizu, an area famous for its original porcelain. There are about 20 pottery ateliers at present, and they produce original-designed/taste porcelain that is different from one another. Mr. Baba’s pottery called “Irori” is one of those twenty.

 Mr. Baba opened his own pottery studio four years ago. During his stay in Kyoto, he had been strongly inspired that he wanted to devote himself to producing something creative as his lifework. He, then, decided to take up the making of Hongo porcelain at his birthplace, Aizu.

 However, he noticed that it was impossible to start with scratch. So he had become an apprentice for a neighboring potter for about ten years before he opened his own pottery. Now, he produces about 40 kinds of porcelain. Most of them are tableware, such as cup, bowl, beer mug and so on.

I will tell you how to make those in the next article.

Written by Yabuuchi