ICHIROYA -Tour J Artisan-

Tour No.01 "Bamboo Craft in Oita"

Artisan profile

Name : Masato Takae

Technique : Bamboo Craft

Location : Oita Prefecture

Biography

1955 1985 1986 1987 1993 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002		Born in Nagoya City. From 18 years old, went all around Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Began making a log house in Ajimu town in Oita prefecture looking for natural life. Entered Beppu Industrial Training School Bamboo Craft Department . Won the Prize from Minister of Labour at National Job Training Exhibition. Became an intern of mid-level technician training course at Beppu Industrials Crafts Experimental Station. Became a teacher of bamboo craft department at Hiroshima Prefecture Takehara Fine Art Academy. Opened bamboo workshop 'Onse' in Ajimu Village of Oita Prefecture. Won a prize at Beppu New Crafts Exhibition. Won the Technique Pursuit Prize at National Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Won a prize at Bamboo In The Ordinary Life Exhibition. Certified by Minister of International Trade and Industry as Traditional Craftsman Won a prize at Bamboo In The Ordinary Life Exhibition. Won a Prize at National Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Won a Prize at Japan Folk Art Public Subscription Exhibition. Exhibition in Paris ( France) Won a Prize at National Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Exhibition at Siebold Museum in Germany

Lots of people say bamboo is the most Japanese plant. From olden times Japenase have had strong relationship with bamboo in the tradition and culture. Bamboo grows rapidly, and it reaches 10 meters in only 40 days after it sprouts on the ground.
My work is weaving this bamboo's vital force in the productions.Split the bamboo, bark and I repeat the monotonous tasks. Such making material processes before weaving almost determine the quality of productions. Sometimes weave wtih remaining the dynamism of material, and sometimes split thinly and weave very carefully with using the softness of bamboo.
Once I was said that my weaving style looked as if I was playing a instrument. Absorbed in weaving, and naturally I got rythm, which seems to be from vital force of bamboo, or from my heart beat. Really the comfortable rythm of rustling of bamboo are heard.
Now I am doing creative activities in the forest far from town. I wish I get the energy of the earth through the bamboo, and convey it to the users and warm their hearts.

Technique detail