A surfboard or a skateboard made of traditional Kyoto lacquerware sounds outlandishly decadent, in fact it’s more sustainable than you might think. Japan’s former capital for over 1,000 years, Kyoto City is well known for a rich culture of traditional arts and crafts. Today, a new generation of artisans is keeping those disciplines relevant by applying them to the modern age and fostering good sustainable values, appreciation for beauty and a healthy planet.
Handed down from one generation of artisans to the next the challenge of maintaining heritage and adapting to modern lifestyle and economic reality is faced. Today Kyoto is proud to have raised a new generation of artisans who, like their forbears, are determined to continue their trade and to give it a modern and sustainable context for the long term good of all. There are many Kyoto artisans able to share their stories and what was previously a hidden world.
A Young Artisan Saving the Planet one Surfboard at a Time
Kyoto artisan, lacquer maker Takuya Tsutsumi is a great example of this new generation of artisans. Born into a Kyoto family artisan business with over 100 years of history, he understands the burden of responsibility. Takuya has taken this as an opportunity to keep his trade alive whilst striving to make the world a better place. Kyoto is known for exquisite lacquerware. The lacquer, known as Urushi, has been used in Japanese arts and crafts for 10,000 years. It is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree, a native only to Asia. The process of cultivating, harvesting and applying it is painstaking and requires expert skill. At Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi, Takuya has expanded their work from the restoration of national treasures and the like to some ground-breaking collaborative projects applying Urushi to modern items.
In 2016, he started a new series of projects collaborating with surfboards, skateboards and BMX bikes. His projects are a complete re-think of Urushi, an entirely sustainable process, encouraging us to value and care for objects, hence rethinking our lifestyles for the future of the environment. His projects are collaborations with experts in their fields, for example, his Surf x Urushi project is in conjunction with Australia based surfboard shaper Tom Wegner. Speaking about the inspiration for his project Takuya said ‘As an Urushi producer, I believe that teaching the world about the advantages and benefits of naturally produced lacquer, refined into Urushi, will provide a unique opportunity to reconsider the importance of nature and environmental preservation’.
Meet Kyoto’s Artisans
Kyoto City is home to 74 original art and craft disciplines, and there are many examples of new generation artisans maintaining their skills and building a sustainable future. A wide range of talented young experts in their craft have stories to tell. Contact Kyoto Tourism Sydney Office for details.
.jpg){kind=tracking}