Preferences

People usually have their own standards of perfection and different preferences for what they want their work to look like. These feelings are cultivated in each individual person and differ between each person. 

One artist, upon bringing her work into the recent exhibition, decided that she wanted to make some changes to her work. She was comparing her work to the work of other artists in the gallery and her standards of perfection seemed to change. She decided that she did not like the texture of her work as it was, so used sandpaper to sand it down again. 

There is a feeling that the work that we have seen in this exhibition is striving to be perfect. Each artist has their own idea about perfection. Even if ‘perfect’ does not really exist in the art world, these artists do their best to make their artwork as close to their standard of perfection as possible. This level of effort is apparent in their work and makes the art more wonderful. If we make small changes to our work when needed, then we can be satisfied with the work when it is completed.

Tanslated by Jennie Whittington

’Liaison’ three-person exhibition

Many visitors have been enjoying the Liaison three-person exhibition at Kyoto Zuihodo’s gallery this month, showcasing the work of three master craftspeople.

This work was previously shown at Hotel Kanra in Kyoto in March and at the Kogei art fair in Kanazawa last November.

These new creative works have given the gallery a new energy and a fresh atmosphere.

Please take the opportunity to look at this work if you can.

As the gallery was originally a Nishijin textile weaving shop, we can display the work in a beautiful spacious area with a high ceiling.

There are also days when the artists will be present too, so please take a moment to meet them if you can.

If you have any questions about the Liason 3nin exhibition, please contact the Kyoto Zuihodo gallery.

Tanslated by Jennie Whittington

Liaison three-person exhibition at Kyoto ZUIHODO

At last year’s Kogei art fair in Kanazawa, three artists worked together in one exhibition. Aki Takahashi and Miki Kato who design and create pottery, as well as Ai Shimizu, who makes lacquerware, are now showcasing their work at Kyoto Zuihodo as part of a three-person exhibition.

The seed of an idea was planted for these three female artists, all from the same generation, to make beautiful pieces together. This exhibition is the result of numerous plans and discussions. Please visit us and enjoy this exhibition.

Exhibition schedule:

From 29^th March until 14^th April 2019

Opening hours: 10:00am until 18:00pm

Holiday day (exhibition closed): Wednesdays (The gallery is usually closed on Sundays but will be open on Sundays during this exhibition)

Tanslated by Jennie Whittington

Collaborative creations

At Kyoto ZUIHODO, we not only use metalwork, but also collaborate with craftspeople from other art genres to create new designs. Using a combination of calligraphy, paper mounting and handmade kinran fabric, which Buddhist priests’ clothes are made from, we have created these folding screens. A picture framer creates a basic design and then the other artists add to the piece. 

Each artist values the traditional method of making their artwork, using equipment and technologies that follow and preserve these traditions. By sharing their ideas, these artists can respect each other’s methods and work together to create beautiful pieces.

We are exhibiting these pieces at Kyoto ZUIHODO, so please come and see them for yourself.

Translated by Jennie Whittington

Ambiente Day 1

Ambiente 2019 was held in Frankfurt, Germany. This year, Kyoto ZUIHODO will be awaiting your visit in Hall 4.0 D87.

We are exhibiting many different works to last year. There are some selected works such as Tancho Duru, which took around 1 year to create after the silver kettle. In Japan's unique paintings, a lot of people are staring at their feet and looking fine and beautiful.

Also this year the internationally renowned artist Georg Jensen has visited Kyoto ZUIHODO's booth. Kumo-o is absent this time, but the friendship between the metalworkers remains unchanged.

Thank you very much to the many people who visited on the first day. We are very grateful. I will continue to do my best until the 12th! Auf Wiedersehen!

Ambiente Preparation

After heading to Germany for Ambiente, I arrived in Frankfurt safely. The next day I visited the venue, and was busy preparing for the exhibition of the works.

The image of our booth has changed from last year's. This year the booth is based on grey, which not only creates a calm atmosphere but also brings to life the colours of each work so you will enjoy the place much more. You can also see a demonstration by the artist Aki Takahashi, and experience her artwork.

Kyoto ZUIHODO is aiming to convey the merits of not only silver kettles but also pottery and other works, through letting people see beyond the beauty of the works and learning the techniques behind them.

Well, I will do my best to prepare for the next day's event.

Creative Process (Process of Creation/Making the Works)

In creating all kinds of works, I think everyone understand that there is a process for each. However, how many people understand the amount of processes that there are?

Works are carefully handmade, one by one, repeating the process... Each process incorporates the ideas and feelings of the artists, as well as their techniques.

This is a work by Aki Takahashi (a pottery artist working with Kyoto ZUIHODO), who is currently demonstrating his process at Ambiente in Frankfurt.

Delicate sketches attract viewers, and the colours are so wonderful that the more you look at them, the more you will be drawn in by their beauty.
To find out about the finished work, please look out for the report from Germany which will be uploaded at a later date!

A Happy New Year!!

We were so lucky that we could met such many people last year.

Hope we can meet more people in this year!

We wish you will have a nice and lovely year ahead!!!!!

From Kyoto ZUIHODO

This Year's Last Blog Post

As I reported the other day, December 15th is Kyoto ZUIHODO's last working day in this year.This is our final blog post this year.

I think that this is the last piece of relevant content I have. I did not have many good ideas for things to write about, so let's introduce a work as usual!

Patterns expressing the gentle flow of water. On the shining sterling silver skin, gently, gently flows the movement of the water. A fascinating movement, made in silence.

The expression of curves is a difficult task. Even if artists have created silver works for decades, and you search the world for many works, you could not find such fine expressions as those created by Kumo-o.

We also post videos on YouTube, so please do not miss this.

Notice of Closure for New Year Holidays

Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Kyoto ZUIHODO. We will now inform you about our new year holidays.

Kyoto ZUIHODO will be closed from the 17th December 2018 until the 3rd January 2019.
Please note that our holiday is not starting on the 27th December as it has done in previous years.
We apologise to everyone for any inconvenience, and thank you kindly for your understanding.

We will be accepting inquiries by email during the holiday period.
If you need to tell us something, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thank you.

We are grateful to everyone for this year. Next year we will continue our devotion to you and to our work.
Thank you for very much for all of your support.

We would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and we hope for the same for Kyoto ZUIHODO.