 |
 This event is composed of two elements:
a joint symposium hosted by Japan Research Center at SOAS and Doshisha
University and an exhibition displaying traditional Kyoto handicrafts.
To truly understand the urban culture which flowered in Kyoto,
we must do more than superficially debate cultural theories of
the city and its country. We must dig, in effect, far deeper. It
is not enough to merely discuss the culture of miyabi (“courtliness” or “refinement”),
but instead, we must uncover its foundation.
What, then, do we find at the depths of these elaborate cultural
manifestations? Craftsmen and their traditions.
At the core of all so-called miyabi traditions in the ancient imperial
capital – Noh dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, courtesan
cultures of the geisha –is always found the anonymous artisan.
They have played an equally crucial role in the development of
the religious arts found in shrines and temples. Their multi-layered
network of traditions, skills, tools, artistry, and aesthetics
has for centuries suckled and sustained Japanese urban culture.
And it is only by focusing the spotlight on the artisans’ traditions
that we can begin to glimpse the fundamentals of Japanese and Kyoto
culture.
This symposium and exhibition rests on such a premise. We intend to
promote the understanding of these handicraft traditions through the
collaboration of two venerable Kyoto ateliers: “Karacho”
(the karakami paper-maker Choemon, for nearly 400 years leading the
unique world of Kyoto traditional kara paper-making and now using
this heritage to launch into new “projects”) and “Ichizawa
Shinzaburo Hanpu” (the Kyoto bag maker renowned for supplying
duck canvas bags and sacks to Kyoto professionals for over a century,
now producing popular bags sought after as fashion accessories.)
 In this event, we hope that many Japanese craftsmen and handicraft
companies – though facing a host of complex challenges in
today’s economic climate – can reclaim confidence and
pride in their work, particularly through transmitting their art
to a wider British and European audience.
We hope that the skills of these Kyoto craftsmen may prove an inspiration to craft enterprises in Britain too.
| |
 |
|
"Innovation of Tradition, a New Challenge by the
Craftsperson Company in Kyoto Shinzaburo Hanpu and Karacho”
ÓCraft Enterprises: Tradition, Renovation and
Creation - Kyoto as
Social Common CapitalÓ
Venue: Lecture Theatre at SOAS,
University of London
Thornhaugh Street,
Russell Square,
London WC1H 0XG
Friday, 9 November, 2007
1:00pm – 6:00pm
Download MAP (PDF 24K)
FREE admission
Please click here to register
ÓCraftsmen in the Jail of BeautyÓ
@ Gallery 47
47 Great Russell Street,
London, WC1B 3PB
Private viewing:
Tuesday, 6 November (TBC)
Wednesday, 7 November
10:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday, 8 November,
10:00am – 4:00pm
Friday, 9 November
10:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, 10 November
10:00am – 1:00pm
Download MAP (PDF 24K)
FREE admission for
Wed 7th to Sat 10th
|
|
|
 |
|
|
