I received a sample copy of "Mingei No. 857: Woodworkers Today" as it will be featured in the May 2024 issue.
The opening piece is titled "The Lineage of Woodworkers - Kuroda Tatsuaki as a Pioneer" and is written by Nishikawa Hideaki.
The six-page piece begins with, "What is the difference between a woodworker and a woodworking craftsman?"
The teacher of Toru Asakura of Kyoto Tanzan Asakura Woodworks was
During his university days, he worked with his woodworking teacher, Ryosaku Tateda.
When I was employed in Tokyo, I was mentored by my seniors and my modern design mentor, Koichi Kamiyama.
When he was a student at Kyoto University, Professor Ryosaku Tateda was working at the Shinshindo cafe across from the university.
After seeing the lacquer-finished tables and benches by Tatsuaki Kuroda, he decided to pursue woodworking.
He studied under Kuroda Tatsuaki's eldest son, Kuroda Kenkichi.
Until Mr. Ryosaku Tateda set up his studio in Kasatori, Kyoto,
While taking woodworking classes at Kyoto University of Education, he worked in the woodworking room outside of class,
I was always able to see the production process up close.
At that time, Toru Asakura was the only person majoring in woodworking.
If you listen, they will answer, but they won't teach you step by step.
"Watch what you're doing."
About Tatsuaki Kuroda (1904-1982), who lived in Kyoto and was active as a wood lacquer artist,
The exhibition "120th Anniversary of the Birth of Living National Treasure Kuroda Tatsuaki: A Journey of Wood, Lacquer, and Mother-of-Pearl" will be held at
From December 17, 2024 to March 2, 2025
Held at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto .
The exhibition will also be held at the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art from Saturday, March 15th to Sunday, May 18th, 2025 .
TV Program Information NHK Sunday Art Museum Tatsuaki Kuroda Dialogue on Manufacturing: Forests, Seas, and People
NHK Educational TV February 16th (Sun) 9:00am-9:45am
Rebroadcast on NHK E-Tele, Sunday, February 23, 8:00pm - 8:45pm
(Added 2025/2/12)
Online "Woodworkers Forum" People viewing and speaking at the Kuroda Tatsuaki exhibition include Toki Chihiro, Kaku Hisashi, Asakura Toru, and Tani Shinichiro. YouTube videos are now available.
The four of them talked about Kuroda Tatsuaki (1904-1982), a Kyoto resident and active wood lacquer artist, and shared their impressions of the exhibition "120 Years Since the Birth of Living National Treasure Kuroda Tatsuaki: A Journey Through Wood, Lacquer, and Mother-of-Pearl," which is being held at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto from December 17, 2024 to March 2, 2025.
(Added 2025/2/13)
The other day, when Mr. A, who uses a keyaki dining table and chairs from Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Mokko, came to visit us ,
I was surprised to see the sample magazine that arrived just this morning and was very happy that it was a magazine that has been going on for so long. I'm grateful that I was able to participate in a magazine that has been going on for so long, with my photo in print.
If you like the world of Mingei or are interested in it,
The Instagram articles of local associations such as the Kyoto Folk Crafts Association and the Hyogo Folk Crafts Association each provide information from a different perspective, so it's fun to make new discoveries by following the Instagram accounts of your favorite regions.
Also, every December around Christmas time
The "Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition" will be held at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum in Tokyo.
Artists such as Toru Asakura and Rena Asakura from Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworks have also exhibited and been selected or semi-selected in the past.
What's interesting about this exhibition is that
① You can also apply and exhibit as an artist.
②Users can view the winning and semi-winning works and even purchase them.
Folk craft stores and exhibitions play an important role in connecting makers and users and delivering high-quality folk craft products.
A popular exhibition that attracts long lines every year.
(You can take home semi-finalized items. If you purchase a winning item, it will be on display during the event and you will have it with you after the event.)
"This magazine is the official publication of the Japan Folk Crafts Association, but non-members are also welcome to subscribe. If you would like to receive a copy, please apply to your local association, folk craft store, or the Japan Folk Crafts Association. We would also appreciate your feedback. The magazine costs 10,920 yen (including shipping) per year, paid in advance (870 yen per issue, 79 yen shipping) (quoted from the end of Mingei)
postscript
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Featured in books, magazines, TV, etc. (as of February 17, 2025)
2004/5/13~6/8 "The 4th Exhibition of Wooden Chairs in Daily Life" Catalog, Asahi Shimbun Press, Selected for "Touch Chair"
2010/10/12 Magazine "First Issue: Otonagumi PLATINUM" (Yume Dear Co., Ltd.) Written by Hideaki Nishikawa Exploring Wooden Figures
January 10, 2011 Book "Kyoto Interior Book" Mitsumura Suiko Publishing Co., Ltd. Edited by Sato Beni
2011/2/1 Magazine "LIFE & DESIGN Vol.2" Yumedia Co., Ltd.
2011/8/20 TV "Ten Different Kinds of Residents - As Many Types of Families as There Are Houses" Mainichi Broadcasting System MBS Television
2012/7/30 Book "Handmade Wooden Vessels" Seibundo Shinkosha by Hideaki Nishikawa
2012/1/25 Book "Wooden furniture and tableware to last a lifetime: From the workshops of 28 woodworkers in the Kansai region" Seibundo Shinkosha Nishikawa Hideaki
2014/12/11 Asahi Shimbun Evening Edition 3rd Edition p5 Cosmo Coaster Coverage Article
2015/3/14 TV " LIFE ~The Shape of Dreams~ " Asahi Broadcasting One month close-up documentary on furniture production and delivery scenes, local activities, teacher / Ryosaku Tateda, etc.
2015/9/22 TV "Kiyoshi Nishikawa's Talking Arukime Desu" ABC Asahi Broadcasting's Kiyoshi Nishikawa visits us
2015/10/11 "SYUJYU Vol.65" Keihan Electric Railway Nakanoshima, Yodoyabashi, Neyagawa City, Hirakata City, Nakashojima, Sanjo
2017/9/4 "This chair is the best!" by Hideaki Nishikawa, O-Chair p143, To-Chair p204
November 2018 / Publication of " Kyoto Toho Kenbunroku vol.65 Winter Issue ": Interview with Yudofu "Junsei" workshop and delivered furniture
2020 Cable TV interview "Amazing! Yamashiro" KCN Kyoto
2020 YouTube Woodworker Forum " Woodworking books recommended by woodworkers part 2 "
2021 YouTube Woodworker Forum " My Story of Woodworking 2 " (Asakura Reina, Kitsunezaki Yuko, Toda Naomi, Mishima Chie)
2021 YouTube Tree of One Legs Exhibition Online " Tree of One Legs Exhibition - Human Activities and Forest Regeneration (Ashida Daisuke, Murakami Tsuyoshi, Asakura Toru) "
2021 YouTube Tree of One Legs Exhibition Online " Tree of One Legs Exhibition - Human Activities and Forest Regeneration " Crafts, Products, and Stories in Between Interview Series with 30 Exhibiting Artists
2022 YouTube Woodworkers Forum " Woodworkers Week NAGOYA " Hisashi Kaku / Masaharu Izaki / Toru Asakura / Shinichiro Tani
2022 YouTube Woodworkers Forum " Buddhist altars made by woodworkers " Kazuo Ando/Jiro Hojima/Toru Asakura/Shinichiro Tani
2023 "Chushin Business Information Magazine ANONA 2023 Vol. 151 Kyoto" published by Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank OnYour Side Division
2023: Publication of "Kimi no Isu Tsuushin vol.14" "Kimi no Isu" project 2023 Kimi no Isu design manager Toru Asakura
2023 Quarterly Magazine "Fortuna 37 Winter Issue" (Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Member Magazine)
2023 Book "Woodworking Hand Tools: Inking and Timber Joining Techniques" Carpenter's Tool Research Association
2023 YouTube Woodworkers Forum " Talking about Tatsuaki Kuroda " (Toki Chihiro, Kaku Hisashi, Asakura Toru, Tani Shinichiro)
2024 Magazine "CLasism Classicism 2024 Summer vol.34" Published by Editorial Studio Xyz Co., Ltd. New showroom coverage
2024 "Mingei No. 857 Woodworkers Now" May 2024 issue Japan Mingei Association "Woodworkers' Lineage" Nishikawa Hideaki (Hyogo Mingei Association)
2024 "Living 2024 No. 85" Published by Osaka Gas, p. 18, p. 19
2025 YouTube Woodworkers Forum " Seeing the Kuroda Tatsuaki Exhibition " (Toki Chihiro, Kaku Hisashi, Asakura Toru, Tani Shinichiro)
We would like to thank so many people for their help, including reporters, photographers, writers, editors, and printers.
It was inspiring to see work in other fields. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, I have also appeared on the "YouTube Woodworkers Forum."
We were able to share with them how we make furniture.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.
Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworks
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Date Published: 2024/5/15
DateModified: 2025/2/17
Author: Reina Asakura
Publisher: Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Woodworks
Kyoto Sumiyama Asakura Mokkou
Quality Furniture Design & Woodworks