A showcase of masterpieces
A Japanese garden ofmeaningful objects
In this evocative exhibition imagined and designed by Naoto Fukasawa, visitors will discover the masterpieces of 12 Japanese National Living Treasures. These master artisans, whose traditional skills are prized in Japan as integral to its cultural heritage, have been selected with renowned museum director Tokugo Uchida. The artworks on display, including kimonos, an urushi lacquered harp and a bamboo flower basket, are simply yet reverentially displayed in the magnificent Palladian Refectory on 12 blocks shaped as stones. Short films provide an insight into the working processes of the masters who handcrafted these sometimes unassuming, but always exceptional pieces.
Imaemon Imaizumi XIV
Master of the traditional technique of overglazing in making ceramics, and the 14th successor in the family that served Lord Nabeshima as officially appointed potter.
Zenzo Fukushima
Creates Koishiwara ware, celadon based on traditional ceramic-making techniques and materials from the 17th century.
Kunihiko Moriguchi
A textile dyer adept at geometric designs using natural motifs such as flowers, snow and streams, in Kyoto’s yuzen textile-dyeing tradition.
Sonoko Sasaki
Dyes tsumugi-type silk yarn in colours derived from grasses and leaves using the kasuri weaving technique. She has been awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Kazumi Murose
Makes urushi lacquerware using the technique of maki-e, which dates to the 8th century, to create highly refined modern designs.
Isao Onishi
Undertakes the whole process of cabinetmaking himself, from moulding cypress wood to finishing the lacquer. His designation as a National Living Treasure is for the lacquering technique known as kyushitsu.
Yukie Osumi
A master of metal forging, she uses silver sheet metal and mallets to create her work. Her designation as a National Living Treasure is for tankin (metalwork).
Noboru Fujinuma
Weaves or braids fine sticks of bamboo into fine baskets and other objects. His designation is for bamboo craftwork, which was passed down from the 8th century Chinese Tang culture.
Komao Hayashi
Employs a style of making toso (paulownia paste) dolls that dates to the 17th century. His work is informed by knowledge of the Noh theatre and other long-established performing arts such as kyogen, kabuki and Kyoto-style dance. He was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Jun Isezaki
One of the most renowned master artisans of Bizen ceramics, a traditional ware that emerged over a thousand years ago in the Bizen district.
Takeshi Kitamura
A textile artist who employs ancient weaving techniques, recreating traditional methods in Nishijin, the historical home of textiles in Kyoto region of Japan.
Kenji Suda
A woodwork artist and cabinetmaker using a traditional technique called sashimono to create intricate intarsia wooden boxes, using Japanese lacquer or urushi.
Naoto Fukasawa
Tokugo Uchida
