Takaoka Crafts Competition 2009

by Johnny on October 22, 2009

The results from the Takaoka Crafts Competition – one of the most anticipated and watched craft shows in Japan – were announced earlier this month! Below are some of the highlights.

Ken Noguchi’s “Coil Vessel” (lacquer, hemp, paper string) took first place for his bold interpretation of the traditional art of lacquerware.

Misa Tanaka’s “Shizukana Sora” (Quiet Sky) took second place for her elegant fusing of porcelain and glass.

Placing honorable mention were some notable pieces as well.

“Oogon” (Golden) by Noriko Matsumoto is stunning in her delicate use of silk and plant dyeing.

I also like Junpei Tatsuno’s “Zabuton” (cushions used for sitting) molded out of Aizu Kiri wood (Paulownia wood from the Aizu region). Kiri wood has a long history in Japan with the notable tradition of planting a Kiri tree when a baby girl was born and then fashioning it into a dresser as a present when she gets married.

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14 comments

1 Fieldwork { 10.22.09 at 3:50 pm }: Really nice. I quite like the Junpei Tatsuno pieces.

I only recently found your blog and think it’s great… you’ll be added to my blogs links for sure…. looking forward to reading many more posts.

-Philip
2 Fieldwork { 10.22.09 at 11:50 am }: Really nice. I quite like the Junpei Tatsuno pieces.

I only recently found your blog and think it’s great… you’ll be added to my blogs links for sure…. looking forward to reading many more posts.

-Philip
3 Johnny { 10.22.09 at 11:52 am }: thanks Philip! You have a very nice looking blog as well!
4 Andrew J { 10.22.09 at 4:17 pm }: OMG, the “Shizukana Sora” pieces are beautiful!
5 Andrew J { 10.22.09 at 12:17 pm }: OMG, the “Shizukana Sora” pieces are beautiful!
6 sun. { 10.23.09 at 5:07 am }: Yes, Shizukana Sora are very beautiful ♥
7 sun. { 10.23.09 at 1:07 am }: Yes, Shizukana Sora are very beautiful ♥
8 Marion Pannekoek { 10.23.09 at 2:46 pm }: I really like the “twist” on the laquerware… beautiful!
9 Marion Pannekoek { 10.23.09 at 10:46 am }: I really like the “twist” on the laquerware… beautiful!
10 Dimitry Alexandrovich Snosko-Borovsky { 10.23.09 at 9:49 pm }: Didn’t the neon tie get any mention?
11 Dimitry Alexandrovich Snosko-B { 10.24.09 at 1:49 am }: Didn’t the neon tie get any mention?
12 caramelcaramelo { 10.26.09 at 7:40 pm }: thanks for this! wonderful of you to share it. kenza
13 caramelcaramelo { 10.26.09 at 3:40 pm }: thanks for this! wonderful of you to share it. kenza
14 Ryota Aoki | potter | Spoon & Tamago { 03.09.10 at 1:13 pm }: [...] Takaoka Crafts Competition 2009 [...]