It has been a long time since people have talked about the "age of the countryside," but now is the time when people are especially interested in local things. The web media and online store "OMUSUbee" is a "local guide" that sheds light on the fascinating things, things, and tokis that lie dormant in Japan's local areas, connects them with the urban areas, and offers interesting suggestions for good things in Japan. HOUYHNHNM will feature original products planned by "OMUSUbee" and delve into the background and thoughts behind them, as well as their charms, in a series format. . The first installment is a frog-motif porcelain created by Kutani Yaki porcelain and a contemporary artist.
Photo_Taijun Hiramoto & Ryo Sato
Text_Shinri Kobayashi
The white porcelain beautifully betrays the image of Kutaniyaki.
OMUSUbee" creates new value by taking the charms of local regions and combining them with contemporary artists from its own unique perspective. One of these original projects is "BLEND IT TRADITION," a collaboration project between traditional crafts and contemporary artists.
This time, Kutani-yaki, the pride of Ishikawa Prefecture, was selected as a traditional craft. Made from Hanasaka pottery, which is found in the prefecture, Kutani ware is a traditional pottery that boasts of its flamboyant colors and high quality, and is available in a wide range of products from daily necessities such as plates and bowls to decorative items.
sake bottle + sake cup set ¥14,520
Seeing a tipsy frog will make you drink more. The sake bottle can be used as a vase for a single flower.
Kutani-yaki" is characterized by the bright colors of red, yellow, green, purple, and navy blue, but this time it was made in simple white porcelain, or white porcelain. The white porcelain is a celebration of the unique beauty of a slightly bluish hue. On this white porcelain, which can be called a white canvas, contemporary artist YU SUDA painted a cute, somewhat human-like frog in a pale aquamarine color. So why frogs?
PROFILE
. Born in Tokyo, Japan. . Based on his painting style based on his identity as a Japanese, he expresses his original view of the world with diverse touches. . In addition to creating works as an artist, he is also active in a variety of client work.
Instagram:@uyudas
Traditional crafts tend to have a somewhat rigid image, don't they? I thought that some people might be reluctant to try Kutani-yaki, so I decided to use a frog character to make Kutani-yaki more familiar to them. I have the impression that frogs have long been loved by the Japanese people. For example, frog motifs were depicted in ukiyoe prints in the past, and there was the popular "Kerokero Keroppi" in the 1990s (laughs). By creating a somewhat smiling gap, we hope to bring people into contact with traditional crafts in a casual way."
Left:7" square dish ¥11,000 Right:3" square dish ¥7,150
The larger one measures 7" (approx. 21 cm), while the smaller one measures 3" (approx. 9 cm), and is fun to use as a set because it depicts frogs peering through and being peered at from different perspectives.
Contemporary artist YU SUDA's thoughts on Ukiyo-e. .
SUDA is a contemporary artist with a variety of painting styles, but one of his characteristics is that he utilizes the touch of ancient Japanese genre paintings such as Ukiyoe. In fact, when he was in college, he took a class on Ukiyo-e and was shocked by its new value and concepts that he had never seen before.
I had been drawing pictures since I was a child, but Ukiyo-e was different from everything I had learned before, from the correct answers I had in my mind. I had never painted curved lines or out-of-place balance, but it was strangely cool..."
And when they look back at their own identity as Japanese abroad, they are finally "ready" for Ukiyo-e.
When I lived in a foreign country for the first time, I realized that I had a strong sense of pride as a Japanese, even without realizing it. I realized that the Japanese culture, including the way we relate to people, the way we treat things, and the way we are polite, is something special and unique in the world. That is why, as a painter, I wanted to express my identity as a Japanese person. I wanted to express my spiritual sympathy for the entertainment, stylishness, and inexpensive popularity of Ukiyo-e, which I have been painting since my college days.
Left:3" mocco plate ¥5,500 Right:6" mocco plate ¥13,200
The smaller one is a small dish measuring 3" = approx. 9 cm, while the larger one is 6" = approx. 18 cm. One of SUDA's styles is to incorporate motifs from street culture.
How do you enjoy your new traditional crafts?
With an extraordinary respect for "tradition," this collaboration reflects Mr. SUDA's earnest desire to share Japanese culture with as many people as possible. Taking the baton from Mr. SUDA, Miyakichi Seito, a kiln established in 1972, is in charge of the actual production. Miyakichi Seito is one of the most famous Kutaniyaki potteries in the world today, and while respecting the traditional expression created by the skills and handiwork of its craftsmen, it continues to make new proposals that are in tune with modern lifestyles. This time, each piece is carefully crafted using the hanko technique, a technique in which a stamp is stamped on the pottery to outline the same pattern, and delicate painting work.
Due to the popularity of this project, we immediately started selling wind chimes, tenugui hand towels, and key chains as the second collaboration with SUDA.
hand towel dyed in natural dyes ¥2,420
Edo-style wind chime
Above:1 sho bottle (1.8 litres) Below:astronaut Each ¥5,830
Embroidery Key Chain
Left:peeping (e.g. through a hole, narrow gap) Middle:slight intoxication Right:skateboard Each ¥3,300
The fusion of white porcelain, which is available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and the shoulder-less frog motif is a new and modern traditional craft. Because they are simple white porcelain, rather than the more ornate Kutani ware that is common, they can be displayed in a place where they can be admired every day, or they can play an active role on the dining table. We hope you will try to incorporate it into your daily life in a casual way.
