Japan Traditional Crafts and Design

All of a sudden, but, what do you think about the argument that "Japan traditional crafts should be infused with a designer's sensibility"? If you think, "Japan traditional crafts are unsophisticated. If taking in the modern sensibility and make it attractive, it will sell.", then I want you to wait and see for a little.

To begin with, since many of the Japan traditional crafts have been utilized by the people living in the area for their daily use, they weren't necessarily for sale to the rest of the world. Among the Japan traditional crafts, there are luxuriously decorated ones such as "Hikone Butsudan (Hikone Household Buddhist Altar)", as a result of encouragement and the patronage of the lord. However, the actual situation differs depending on the production area of the craft.

If the value of Japan traditional crafts is created from the credibility told of the history of the past, it is risky to simply apply a design that stands out without thinking the points such as historical background, or how the Japan traditional crafts have been accepted by the people. There are a number of situations that are not funny, in which it is often hard to distinguish them from the products in the 100 yen store as a result of applying a modern design in the Japan traditional crafts. The reason is Japan traditional crafts have taken their current form as a highly sophisticated form. That's right, Japan traditional crafts have become what they are today because of their inevitability. If you change them unnecessarily, the inevitability of their origin will disappear.

As told by Mr. Inui of YOSUKE INUI Design Office, the architect of our website, we think that acknowledging the limits of a product design and focusing on communication design between the creator and the end user can rather lead to better results.
"YOSUKE INUI Design Office: Ambivalence of Design and Traditional Crafts (1)"
http://www.inuiyosuke.jp/ja/writing/id/13/

There are many craftwork products all over Japan, such as Japanese lacquer, paper, pottery, woodwork, Buddhist altars, and cloth. Meanwhile, how can we create a unique product that is unique to its region and not found in other regions? The only way to revitalize the company should be thinking about it thoroughly and developing new products new sales channels.

Many "a genuine crafts" are the result of skilled handwork. These products should not be priced at the same level as MUJI or ordinary select shops. We would like to carry out our activities from the perspective to see how we can meet clients who will recognize the real value of Japan traditional crafts.