Japanese Woodworkers
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須田賢司
木村 正
宮本貞治
茂上 豊
吉田宏介
島崎柾成
市川正人
川本光春
井上喜夫
Kenji Suda
須田賢司
A third generation of "Edo-Sashimonoshi"(Joiner) in Tokyo. Later, he moved to the countryside. He combines originality with tradition. He is a "Ningen Kokuho" (a holder of important Intangible cultural properties - in woodcraft).
Web page:
- 須田 賢司 重要無形文化財「木工芸」保持者
Video:
Interview when he was chosen as a "living national treasure."
リーダーズアイ「人間国宝 木工芸 須田賢司さん」2014年8月18日
A few more videos:
Teiji Miyamoto
宮本貞治
Mr. Miyamoto's lives in Ohtsu city and is recognized as a designated intangible cultural property holder in Shiga Prefecture.
"I used to look for materials after thinking about the shape I wanted to make, but now that I look at the materials, the image of the finished product comes to mind."
Web pages
Videos:
Kosuke Yoshida
吉田宏介
The third generation of Yoshida Mokugei in Yamagata pref. He was chosen as a modern master craftsman by the Japanese government.
Video:
Showasai Ono
大野昭和斎
"Ningen Kokuho" (A holder of certifications of important intangible cultural properties) in the field of wood craft.
Web page:
Video:
江戸指物
Edo(Tokyo) Joinery
"The caracterisic is that compared to other joinery, it uses thinner boards and thinner rods, and although it looks fragile and delicate at first glance, it is actually made of solid and sturdy pieces that cannot be seen. This is the characteristic of Edo Sashimono and the very essence of ``Iki'' aesthetics. We try to make the most of the color and texture of the wood grain." - Yutaka Mogami
Tadashi Kimura
木村 正
Edo joinery uses mainly "Kuwa" (mulberry trees). Fine materials and the beauty of wood grains are so important. Mikurajima and Miyakejima among the Izu Seven Islands produce magnificent mulberry trees. Mr. Kimura had the opportunity to buy a large quantity of mulberry trees from Mikurajima twenty years ago. And still, he uses them for all his work.
web page:
Video:
Yutaka Mogami
茂上豊
"Favorite item - Llattice thing:
After graduating from university, I entered the family business. I am the third generation. My first training was at a joinery shop, and I specializes in latticework such as shelves and lanterns. I strives for the elegance of the Edo period in ancient joinery, and for the design and ease of use in modern joinery..
Certified as Tokyo Meister in 2013."
Web pages：
Video：
Mr. Yutaka Mogami often uses "Kuwa," the most expensive wood, and similar wood "Meguwa." He makes his products with the intention of them lasting 100 years.
He also says that the beauty of wood grains is essential because Edo joinery finishes their products to make beautiful wood grains show through the lacquer finish, in contrast to Kyoto joinery, which fully covers grains with a black lacquer finish.
Masanari Shimazaki
島崎柾成
In addition to manufacturing Japanese furniture, he also worked on ``art joinery,'' which required more advanced techniques. Art joinery is said to be completed only when all three characteristics are present: making use of the beauty of the grain of natural wood, good design and shape, and excellent technique. In 1981, he was certified as a ward-designated intangible cultural property holder.
Video:
Yoshio Inoue
井上喜夫
"My favorite item - I like making different items every time.
I has loved making things since childhood, and is the second generation to inherit the work of my father, Master Iji Inoue, who was a joiner. He specializes in small chests of drawers and mirror stands.
In 2011, I was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure."
Web page:
Video:
京指物
Kyo-Sashimono
京都 匠の技「京指物」/ Kyoto Craftsmanship “Kyo-sashimono (Wood crafts)”
Koshun Kawamoto
川本光春
Mr. Kawamoto makes items for tea celemony. (Sado Sashimonoshi). He uses "Kuwa" (Mulberry wood) inherited from his grand father.
Video:
Reference
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Links to Woodworkers' Organizations
You can browse wood crafts member artists (235) of the Japan crafts Association.
