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Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.8

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We share a variety of information and perspectives on Japanese crafts, including exhibition information and interviews.
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.8
KOGEI Topics VOL.9
Featured Exhibitions & Events VOL.26
Featured Exhibitions & Events VOL.25
Shizuoka
Sep 1 – Oct 17, 2023
MOA MUSEUM OF ART
Sep 12 – Nov 26, 2023
Mitsui Memorial Museum
Sep 29 – Oct 29, 2023
ATELIER MUJI GINZA
Sep 30 – Nov 26, 2023
Tomo Museum of Art
INSIGHT
VOL.1-8 Update
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.7
When discussing the aesthetics of Japanese craftsmanship, there are several essential aspects that cannot be overlooked. One of these is the concept of “Yo-no-bi.” Although commonly translated as “the beauty of everyday things,” the phrase literally means “the beauty of use,” and refers not only to the beauty of the crafts themselves, but also to a beauty inherent in their ...
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.6
“Zen” is a widely known word overseas, similar to wabi-sabi. Owing to the influence of Steve Jobs, it is one of the Eastern spiritualities that continues to pique the interest of people in the Western world. When you hear the word “Zen,” often the first thing that comes to mind is “Zazen,” or seated meditation. Zen is short for “Zen Buddhism,” origin...
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.5
As you learn more about the Japanese sense of beauty, you will come to realize that the Japanese people possess at their core a fundamental shizenkan, or “view on nature.” Japanese people find the falling cherry blossoms beautiful, not simply because of their beautiful colors or scenery, but because seeing that makes them feel the impermanence of the world, as if everything is in a state of flux. ...
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.4
Junichiro Tanizaki’s essay In Praise of Shadows, published in 1933, is one of the books that introduced Japanese aesthetics to the world. Written in a unique style, the book highlights the importance of dim light and shadow in the Japanese lifestyle. It has become a must-read for foreigners interested in Japanese aesthetics, as well as students of art, design, and architecture, and philosoph...
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.3
When discussing the uniquely Japanese sense of beauty, the words “ma” and “yohaku” are indispensable, as are “wabi-sabi.” “Ma” is mainly used in theater, music, and interpersonal relationships, while “yohaku” is frequently used in art, design, and for other two-dimensional works.
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.2
“Wabi-sabi” is one of Japan’s traditional aesthetic sensibilities, having grown out of Zen. Japan has long had a variety of aesthetic senses, such as “mono no aware” and “iki”, but wabi-sabi is one Japanese term that has spread worldwide, and can now be considered an international aesthetic. This sense of beauty has influenced many aspects of Japanese culture, from literatu...
Editor's Column “The Path of Japanese Crafts” VOL.1
Japanese crafts are beautiful. Sometsuke plates drawn with gosu pigment, bowls made up of many layers of lacquer, light-colored textiles dyed with the natural kusaki-zome technique, and one-of-a-kind yakishime style vases with unpredictable yohen effects that emerge during firing. These crafts are not only beautiful in form and design, but also function as tools, each embedded with the aesthetic s...