Tour

A Contemporary Approach to Japanese Traditions in Kyoto

Traditional artforms, transported into the 21st century by a new generation of artists.

Rick Lunt

Scenset travel curator

Reimagining the past

The city of Kyoto is arguably the epicenter of Japanese traditions, home to ancient art forms like silk dyeing, pottery, and fan making. In recent years, younger generations have taken these ancient art forms and given them a modern twist. With these new ideas comes a more sustainable approach, as these artisans look to turn old into new with a more conscious mindset.

The traditional art form of silk dyeing at Ikeuchi Yuzen

The contemporary pottery of Soryu Gama

A modern twist at Keiko Roll

Soryu Gama – a more sustainable approach to pottery

Wakunami Soryu is a fourth-generation master potter from Kyoto, who together with his wife Madoka Ota, has created a more sustainable approach to this ancient tradition.

Alongside pieces such as vases and bowls, you can also find striking ceramic jewelry made by recycling pottery scraps. Their pieces are sought after the world over, with the jewelry, in particular, finding a much wider audience across the globe.

The Wakunami family has been making pottery in Kyoto for 4 generations

No detail is spared in the manufacturing process

Keiko Yamamoto at work on the streets of Kyoto

Keiko still uses traditional methods to create her products

The designs adorn scarves, bags, and face masks

Onishi Tsune Shoten – traditional fans reimagined

The traditional silk folding fan has been ingrained in Japanese culture for centuries. At Onishi Tsune Shoten, Director Hisao Onishi designs these pieces not just for keeping cool but also to display in the home, whilst at the same time acting as a fragrance diffuser. This approach has breathed new life into an ancient tradition, as the family business passes through the generations.

Founder Hisao Onishi painstakingly creates a bamboo fan

Once completed, they become beautiful room defusers

Thinking of the future of tradition

In Kyoto, there's an abundance of artists using traditional methods and giving them a modern twist. These include more contemporary approaches to "Yuzen" – the ancient form of silk dyeing, and a lacquer artist looking to carry the fading art onto future generations by integrating items like surf and skateboards.

Let us know if you're keen on visiting Kyoto, and we can arrange trips to these workshops and boutiques.

✍🏻

Rick Lunt
Originally from the Northwest of England, Rick has found his way to New York via the Czech Republic, Spain, and a myriad of other destinations. Rick dreams of owning a Hacienda in Mexico, but Asia has always been his main passion. In the last decade, highlights have included meals with Geisha in Japan and being adopted by the Asaro Mudmen in Papua New Guinea.