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Japanese Craft GlossaryJapanese Craft GlossarySeeking the ArtisansSeeking the ArtisansA Century of Craft, A Master's VoiceA Century of Craft, A Master's VoiceTheir Beloved ThingsTheir Beloved ThingsThe Future Map of CraftsThe Future Map of CraftsCrossing PerspectivesCrossing PerspectivesLiving Beside TraditionLiving Beside TraditionThe Outline of CraftsThe Outline of Crafts
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Articles of the Series

Their Beloved Things

Every great work has a companion that never takes the spotlight. A tool worn smooth by years of use — shaped by hands, shaped by habit, shaped by trust. We explore the cherished objects that quietly power the performances we admire.

What My Instrument Teaches Me About 'My Current Self' — How to Navigate Materials, Your Body, and Age (Part 2)
What My Instrument Teaches Me About 'My Current Self' — How to Navigate Materials, Your Body, and Age (Part 2)

What My Instrument Teaches Me About 'My Current Self' — How to Navigate Materials, Your Body, and Age (Part 2)

Building on the discussion of his relationship with the shakuhachi in the first part, shakuhachi performer Dozan Fujiwara talks about repairs, the effects of aging, and how he relates to his instrument. He describes a philosophy of performance in which he measures his own growth by continuing to play the same instrument without changing it.

The Shakuhachi Was My 'Voice' Itself"—How Dozan Fujiwara Met the Partner He's Had for 40 Years [Part 1]

The Shakuhachi Was My 'Voice' Itself"—How Dozan Fujiwara Met the Partner He's Had for 40 Years [Part 1]

Shakuhachi player Dozan Fujiwara discusses his relationship with the shakuhachi, which he has been exploring for nearly 40 years. The piece traces his journey from his early struggles to produce sound, through his encounter with his mentor, Kōzan Yamamoto, to his current approach to performance, in which he views the shakuhachi as his own voice.

Without These Shears, I Can't Work — What Bonsai Master Masashi Hirao Calls His Partner [Part 1]

Without These Shears, I Can't Work — What Bonsai Master Masashi Hirao Calls His Partner [Part 1]

Masashi Hirao is a bonsai master. But for him, bonsai are not static, finished pieces to be admired from afar.

Holding This Knife Gets Me in the Zone—Masahiro Kasahara of Sanpi Ryoron on What Makes a 'Partner'

Holding This Knife Gets Me in the Zone—Masahiro Kasahara of Sanpi Ryoron on What Makes a 'Partner'

For Masahiro Kasahara, a knife is not just a cooking tool. It is the starting point of the design philosophy that shapes a dish. The way fibers are cut, how the blade is inserted, and how force is controlled.