FAD Magazine

FAD Magazine covers contemporary art – News, Exhibitions and Interviews reported on from London

Biology of Metal: explore the skills of some of Japan’s most talented metalworkers

On show for the first time in the UK, BIOLOGY OF METAL explores the innovative craftsmanship and ancient skills of some of Japan’s most talented metalworkers. Providing a unique insight into how artistry and small industry are embedded in tradition, and the ways in which technology has evolved and embraced the new, adapted to a changing society.

BIOLOGY OF METAL - CRAFTMANSHIP IN TSUBAME SANJO will be on show at Japan House London from 6 September – 28 October 2018 ©Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival Committee__
©Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival Committee

Tsubame-Sanjo Region
Tsubame-Sanjo is an area in the northern Japanese prefecture of Niigata. Known for the precision and skill of the craftspeople from its numerous small metalworking factories and workshops, it produces a huge variety of products including the majority of Japan’s cutlery. Known for developing ultrafine metal-polishing techniques, it is the only area in Japan to produce all the cutting tools, numbering over 60 different kinds, used in the creation of bonsai. The region produces specialized knives of all shapes and sizes for the preparation of squid or tuna, for opening oysters or crabs, or for cutting lettuce, carrots or garlic. For the domestic and international market, it produces machine parts, tools and metal housewares alongside finely crafted drinking vessels used for the region’s famous sake.

The exhibition is inspired by the annual Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival (Kouba no Saiten) initiative when each October factories and workshops open their doors to visitors to offer the rare opportunity to see craftspeople at work and experience metalworking through the participation in workshops.

About the artist
One of the skilled makers from this intriguing region that will be participating in BIOLOGY OF METAL at Japan House is a 200-year-old metal workshop, Gyokusendo. In the late Edo Period (1603- 1868), a travelling craftsman from Sendai in northern Japan introduced the method of manufacturing tsuiki (hammer cast) copperware to Tsubame, and the founder of Gyokusendo, TAMAGAWA Kakubei, was one of the few who successfully mastered this difficult process.

Gyokusendo first began by manufacturing everyday implements such as pans, pots and kettles, and later gradually added artistic elements and more decorative items. When Japan participated in the Vienna World Exposition for the first time in 1873, Gyokusendo products were selected for display. Gyokusendo’s skilfully crafted objects are held in such high regard that they have often been invited to dedicate new Gyokusendo creations to the Imperial Family on auspicious occasions.

Having maintained and innovated their crafting techniques from generation to generation, Gyokusendo’s creative process has been labelled an ‘Intangible Cultural Property’, both by Niigata Prefecture and by the Japanese National Cultural Affairs Agency.

BIOLOGY OF METAL: METAL CRAFTSMANSHIP IN TSUBAME-SANJ exhibition at Japan House London is held in collaboration with the with the Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival (Kouba no Saiten) and is part of the London Design Festival 2018. japanhouselondon.uk
londondesignfestival.com

Workshops:
Throughout the London Design Festival 2018 of the exhibition, Japan House will host a range of talks, demonstrations and workshops lead by Tsubame-Sanjo makers. Workshops will include, hand-hammer your own copper plate with Gyokusendo; make your own spoon with Hinoura and Tadafusa; carve your own wooden chopsticks with Marunao, and decorate your own leaf-shaped metal chopstick rest with Oiwa.

The Shop:
During the exhibition, The Shop at Japan House will introduce a range of Tsubame-Sanjo products and the craftspeople and designers who make them. Examples include copperware maker Gyokusendo. Founded in Tsubame in 1816, Gyokusendo makes hand-hammered objects, such as teapots, sake cups, wine coolers and glasses. The techniques they use have been handed down for seven generations and have been certified as an Intangible Cultural Property of Niigata Prefecture. The sixth generation head craftsman, TAMAGAWA Norio, has been designated a bearer of Intangible Cultural Heritage, often known as a “living national treasure”. The work of Tamagawa Norio and his son Tatsushi, also a master craftsman at Gyokusendo, will be displayed together in The Shop at Japan House during BIOLOGY OF METAL.

SUS Gallery, also in Tsubame, developed the world’s first commercial vacuum-insulated dual structure titanium tumblers. The double-walled, airless structure enables thorough thermal insulation. The initial design concept was to make “a tumbler for imbibing delicious alcoholic beverages.” Almost no condensation is produced, making it difficult for the ice to melt. The structure sustains the heat or cold for an extended amount of time. Perfect for wine or sake.

SUWADA blacksmiths, in Sanjo, have been producing the best cutting tools since 1926. They specialise in professional quality manicure and pedicure instruments, bonsai shears and kitchen tools. All of SUWADA’s products are completely handmade by skilled craftsmen always striving to achieve unparalleled sharpness.

Commenting on ‘Biology of Metal’ curator Simon Wright:

“Respect for tradition, craftsmanship and finding beauty in the functional lies at the heart of this exhibition. Biology of Metal presents a rare opportunity to explore the excellence of the metalworking industry of this northern Japanese region and celebrates the heroes of the workshop and factory floor in their quest to perfect the manufacture of tools for living.”

Categories

Tags

Related Posts

Trending Articles

Join the FAD newsletter and get the latest news and articles straight to your inbox

* indicates required