There have been many local manufactures in Japan. who use local
materials and the natural ingredients.
These arts and techniques have
been passed down. from one generation to another.
Mikawa butsudan is one
of that. Mikawa butsudan, a Buddhist altar, has a long history extending back to
the year of 1704.
However, these days, the production bases of the
Buddhist altars are shifting to China.
To protect fine Japanese
tradition which has been comforting people more than 300 years is now getting
difficult.
In history, Buddhist alters have been used to worship family
ancestors.
Buddhist statues, pictures and mortuary tables are set inside
of the alters.
People sit in front of altars, pray to their ancestors
and Buddha.
Those altars became comfort to their minds and defended them
from unhappiness.
However, recent years, people's minds start keeping
distance from alters.
One of the reasons is that people see alters as a
symbol of the death.
A lot of people came to think that an altar is a
place where the death lives andit's a negative thought.
Kazuaki Tsuzuki
started Artman Japan in late 2003 out of concern that the shift of altar
production to China
may lead the loss of Japanese fine tradition and he also
wanted to change a general negative image for Butsudan craftsmen.
He
started acting with three other Butsudan Syokunin(Buddhist alter craftsmen) who
had the same thoughts.
All of their creations show the artistic side of
Butsudan which are typified with black lacquer on hinoki cypress and gold foil
decoration.
Whatever shape they make, they use traditional
butsudan-making techniques in their creations.
It is Artman's policy.
Artman Group hopes that people will recognize the value of Japanese
tradition by having a fine artwork from them at home.
In the near
future, we, as Artman Group, want to open a workshop, or culture class in order
to introduce our cultural heritage to many people.
This exhibition is
our first step to make this dream comes true.
We think it is one BIG
step.
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Kazuaki Tsuzuki
Designer & Finisher |
Yuji Hirbayashi
Model architect |
Hironori Ishikawa
Wood carver |
Hiroyuki Ito
Lacquer painter |
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2003.12 Activity began
2003.12 won the best prize - Creators Market in Japan
2005.5 Expo in Aichi exhibition
2005.9 Expo in Aichi exhibition again
2006.6 won the 3rd prize - Creators Market in Japan
2006.10 won the best
prize - Live Market in Japan
2007.3 Artman Japan's Art show[Butsudan Meets MONONOFU]
2007.10 Artman Japan's Art show[Pray & Play Butsudan]
2008.6 Artman Japan's Art show in HONKOUJI
2008.9 Artman Japan's Art
show in New York
2009.5 Artman Japan's Art show in German |
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Heisei Kuhden Zushi
In the Edo period, present shape of Butsudan,the Buddhist altar,was established after Tokugawa Shogunate made the Buddhist parishioner system.
Supported by this system, Butsudans have been loved as not only
something to rely on, but also as traditional handcrafts art.
However,
these days, the situation of those traditional Butsudan have transformed
drastically.
To protect the fine Japanese traditional craftsmanship and
also to attract young generation who have less and less opportunities to be
exposed to the cultural craftsmanship, we produced the Heisei kuhden Zushi, the
new style of Buddhist alter influenced by 2 Japanese national treasures.
One of the national treasures is called "Tamamushi-no-Zushi", the oldest
Buddhist alter in Japan representing Asuka Period (538- 710 D.C. or 592-645
D.C.) and the other is called "Youmeimon" in Nikko Tousyouguu which was built in
1636 and it is one of the best architectural achievements in Edo Period.
We, Artman Group, unite those two national treasures and create"Heisei
kuhden Zushi" using traditional Butsudan manufacturing techniques. |
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BU-DAN
Most Japanese said that bushi-do(Chivalry)is bloody,and Buddhism is incense stinks.
There are unexpectedly a lot of people who have the
poor image.
The reason of that bushi-do had the custom that
harakiri(kill myself by cut stomach) and adauti(revenge on person who
killed),and the funeral is associated when hearing the Buddhism.
However,bushi-do and the Buddhism are corresponding by the key word of
death.
In addition,there is a history that bushi-do is taken the spirit
of the Zen and has evolved.
It is in chivalry to the word that
Ken-Zen-Itinyo(samurai's spirits = thought of zen).
The flower is cherry
blossoms,and the person is a samurai,the men of old times long ages was sung and
it admired it.
Bu-dan is Buddhism tools to bear samurai's spirit. |
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KUROUTO
There is a craftsmanship that seems to disappear in Japan.
Also there is a
craftsmanship that has disappeared, too.
It is because the number of
people who understand the difference of the quality decreases.
Kurouto
is a thing made by the Japanese craftsmanship that wants to leave it for the
next generation.
And Kurouto is goods that train the person who
understands the quality.
The technique of a casual Japanese craftsman is
concealed in it.
In Kurouto, existence of workman whom light doesn't hit
easily is a leading part. |
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Doragon on Doragon
There is a thing of which it disposes by various circumstances.
Butsudan,the buddhist altar,is also the same.
I thought throwing
away the Butsudan always to be too good.
I collected 13 disposed dragon
carving and made the work to big dragon.
It is a work where it borrows
the power of the workman who doesn't have the previous name for about 100 years
either.
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