Artisan

Bringing Stonework of Japanese Gardens Inside Modern Homes

As part of the team carrying on seven generations of legacy stonework at Nishimura Tōrō-Ten, Ishiura Kenji set out to bring stone craftsmanship beyond the garden and into the modern home.

Kazuto Yoshikawa, Reawakening Dormant Techniques

Kazuto Yoshikawa guided a collaboration to revive the traditional wood-bending techniques of a Mie Prefecture multi-generational frame workshop, resulting in a striking interior design element for ...

The Weight of 400 Years

Carrying on the legacy of 16 generations of potters, Hosai Matsubayashi is the human embodiment of the evolution of tea culture in Japan. Find out through this documentary how he pursues Kireisabi ...

Hiromichi Nakade, Maker of Oryoki Bowls

Meet Hiromichi Nakade and Kazuya Fujimoto, the makers of the Oryoki and Kodaiwan bowls. A master craftsman sits with his former apprentice to speak about their hope for the declining crafts industr...

Gaku Nakane, Maker of Whimsical Ceramic Pieces

Inspired by the cliffs, stream, and woods surrounding his childhood home, the 27-year-old potter's ceramic pieces are nostalgic, whimsical, and organic. Watch the interview to meet the artisan.

Hitoshi Morimoto, Maker of Bizen Vessels

Molding his own style of Bizen pottery, the 2nd-generation artisan crafts vessels with a time-honored yet timeless silhouette - inspired by ancient Japan and daily life.

Whereof one cannot speak

Known for the creation of handcrafted canisters with a polished look, Kaikado has evolved and diversified, sharpening their technique to fuse functionality and sleek design.

Naoya Arakawa, Maker of Japanese Glass Vessels

The creation process of Naoya Arakawa’s hand-blown glass pieces or “vessels of light” is innovative and unconventional, pulling knowledge and resources from the arts to engineering and the sciences.

Wataru Myoshu, Maker of Wabi-Sabi Vases

Pulling inspiration from materials that have withstood the test of time, from earthy walls of buildings to older bronze vessels and roman glass, his pieces are a reflection of time passed. Learn mo...

Tomoya Hyodo, maker of Kiri Wooden Trays

Starting his career to become a racing car mechanic, Tomoya Hyodo, later substituted making metal parts with wooden parts. His creation process is rooted in his love for all things mechanical. Lear...

Takuya Tsutsumi, 4th-generation Urushi Refiner

Through his passions for surfing, skateboarding, and the outdoors, Takuya Tsutsumi, spearheads a movement to revitalize the urushi industry in Japan. Learn about the state of the industry and his t...

Masao Kiyoe, Maker of Indigo Wall Pieces

The construction worker turned first-generation craftsman started his career from scratch, from learning how to harvest indigo to bringing his dynamic designs to life. Learn about his journey of be...

From Cradle to Grave

Watch Shuji Nakagawa using techniques refined and passed down for over 700 years. Nakagawa’s work has established what it means to bring sleek modernity to commonly-seen pieces.

Kiyoko Matsuoka, 4th-generation shibori master 

Shibori, meaning “to wring, squeeze or press” is the process of shaping cloth before dyeing to create various designs on the textile. Rather than using the cloth as a two dimensional surface, the S...