Kyoto Kogei: Connecting the World

I am Japan, where I’m having the most wonderful 2 weeks I’ve been invited to exhibit with seven other Japanese artisans – ceramicists and artists – at the Kogei Craft Artists Exchange Exhibition in Kyoto – ‘Connecting in World’.

The first week has raced by and I have seen many beautiful temples and shrines, works of art and encountered wonderful, immensely talented people – and throw an earth quake (small) into the experience! It was disorienting to wake to the room wobbling and shutters banging however I am now a member of an elite club 🤣🤣

I joined an e-bike tour the first day and, as I was the only tourist, I had a bespoke tour! Tai, my guide, was a delightful young man and took me to two Temples, Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji, teaching etiquette along the tour. It was a very good way to see a lot on 3 1/2 hours.

The Kogei exhibition is held at the Ookini Guest House Kuromon Nakadachiuri-tei, Kyoto – a traditional, very beautiful building.

I am exhibiting alongside two UK SDC members – Claudia Luque and Helen Leaf and seven Japanese artists:

ISA Masayuki (伊砂正幸)
(Dyeing and Weaving)

IDE Teruko (井出照子)　(Ceramic)

IMAI Makimasa (今井眞正) (Ceramic)

TOKURIKI Tatsuki (德力竜生) (Glass)

HATA Toki (羽田登喜)(Dyeing and Weaving)

HATTORI Isseｙ (服部一齋)　(Urushi / Lacquer)

YAMAMOTO Yukiko (山本由紀子)　(Ceramic)

TAKEDA Naoyuki (武田直之) (Ceramic)

Their work is absolutely stunning. I feel very humble to be in this company of great Masters.

The highlight was a visit to three of the artisans’ workshops: ceramicist Imai Makimasa, Isa Masayuki dyer and weaver and Hata Toki who paints the fabric for kimonos – her family have been artisans for three generations. It was amazing. I will post in detail in the next post,

Sayonara for now ….