A Century of Craft, A Master's Voice

As an inheritor of traditional techniques, facing the tides of change is inevitable.

From practical items like car emblems and school crests to stunning artworks in museums, the Tokyo Shippo enamelware created by Hiroshi Hatakeyama has a unique way of captivating people while seamlessly blending into everyday life.

Once, there was a young boy who spent nearly every day playing outside, with little interest in his family's shippo-yaki (cloisonné) workshop.

As its pure white color and sculpted form suggest, hakuji, or white porcelain, is an art form where superficial techniques simply don't cut it.

Akihiro Maeta's work drew widespread attention when his stark white porcelain, completely unadorned, won a grand prize at a major ceramics exhibition.

After completing a white porcelain vase for his graduation project, Akihiro Maeta eagerly established a studio in his hometown of Tottori City.

Inspired as a child by watching his father create prints, Akihiro Maeta began to show his remarkable artistic talent from a young age.

In Japan, pottery is so ingrained in the culture that it's practically a way of life.

As a Living National Treasure, Teiji Miyamoto pours his energy into passing down his techniques and nurturing the next generation.

In our last feature, we discovered that the signature ripple patterns of Living National Treasure Teiji Miyamoto were inspired by Lake Biwa in Shiga, home to his workshop.

Living National Treasure Teiji Miyamoto honed his skills under the tutelage of his master, Kenkichi Kuroda.

In our first installment, we discovered that Living National Treasure Teiji Miyamoto grew up surrounded by artisans.

Two-thirds of Japan is forest land, blessed with a climate and topography that allow a rich diversity of trees to thrive.

This interview explores the career and philosophy of Living National Treasure Mamoru Nakagawa. It focuses on his metalworking practice, his approach to innovation within tradition, and his efforts to pass on his craft.

The article challenges the fixed idea that traditional crafts must only preserve old techniques, emphasizing the need to pursue contemporary beauty. Mamoru Nakagawa developed a unique style by combining inlay techniques with landscape expressions inspired by overseas experiences and observations of nature.

Living National Treasure Mamoru Nakagawa spoke about the countless failures behind mastering the Kaga Zogan technique. Through repeated experimentation with metal coloring and chemical mixtures, he refined his craftsmanship and learned the importance of thinking beyond conventional values during his apprenticeship years.

Mamoru Nakagawa, a Living National Treasure, described his work as an industrial designer and his training in crafts as far more demanding than one might imagine. Looking back on those days, he reflects that “life is like a full marathon.”

This article features Mamoru Nakagawa, a Living National Treasure and leading figure of Kaga Zogan in Ishikawa. It explores his transition from working at an electronics manufacturer to entering the world of traditional crafts and his evolving philosophy on creation.