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.

Report: KOGEI Art Fair Kanazawa

For three days from the 16th until the 18th November, Kyoto ZUIHODO participated in the KOGEI Art Fair Kanazawa held at KUMU Kanazawa.

The art fair was a unique event which transformed a hotel room into a gallery, and many people who love crafts and art came to visit. Thank you to everyone who came!

Liaison

Liaison, the collaborative work by Aki Takahashi, Ai Shimizu, and Miki Kato, was also displayed at this event and it was very popular. We were grateful to be able to introduce the old techniques and spirit which we care about so much to many people.

Our works Kaminari Kettle and Teapot, Kiku Tea Spoon, Cloud Tea Canister, Pottery (Aki Takahashi), Fabric (Mikio Hirai)



Works of Aki Takahashi



Works of Ai Shimizu



Works of Miki Kato

Although this year's exhibitions have finished, next year we will participate in exhibitions in Germany in February and Kyoto in March.
I hope to report about these events nearer the time.

Collaborative Work: Liaison

For 3 days from Friday 16th until Sunday 18th November, Kyoto ZUIHODO will be exhibiting work at KOGEI Art Fair in Kanazawa. Ours will be the only exhibition from Kyoto, so we are looking forward to it.

We would also like to introduce our collaborative work, Liaison, which will be released at this time. This work is currently under construction, and it is a collaboration of lacquer and two different styles of pottery.'Liaison' is a French word meaning to tie and connect, and it became the title of our work. Each individual part is full of personality, and it is likely to be a charming work.

Soon you will be able to view a small part of Liaison's progress, at the KOGEI Art Fair in Kanazawa. Please come and see it!

Taiwan International Tea Expo 2018 at Nangang Exhibition Hall, Taipei

From Friday 16th until Monday 19th November 2018, the Taiwan International Tea Expo will be held at the Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei.

Companies from all over the world related to tea will meet at this event and exhibit their things. And Kyoto ZUIHODO will be attend this exhibition.

Also we would like to invite you to exhibitions and demonstrations by the glass artist Reiko Tananbe, who has been holding a solo exhibition at Kyoto ZUIHODO.

You can create a special teapot, and enjoy Reiko's delicate sandblasting work.

In addition to this, there will also be a demonstration by the artist Kumo-o. You can see their fine techniques.
Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to see these secret methods from ancient Japan!

We are looking forward to seeing you.

Kyoto ZUIHODO’s Commitment - Tools

When creating artworks, are the tools not important? Of course the artist’s commitment and spirit and protecting traditional techniques is important too, but you cannot create artwork without tools.

For the creators, tools are not merely objects used to make things. They are passed down from generation to generation, and are important objects filled with meaning.

There are many types of tools according to different patterns and processes, and many tools may be used to create one work. Artists must choose the right tools for the process they are using and the pattern they are creating.

Techniques which can only be created using certain tools have been handed down from the past to now.

New Work: Henkei- Shibori Iron Kettle

Since iron is harder than gold, silver, and other metals, it is said that it is a difficult material to create a hammered kettle from. But with a considerable amount of time and labour, it is possible to create this work.

However you look at this work, it is beautiful. Traces of the hammered pattern give it warmth, and its smooth, curved mouth draws out the flavour. This effect can only be created from squeezing one sheet of iron.

There is nothing which our predecessors came up with that modern people cannot also do. However, a variety of things can now be alleviated by relying on machines. But by struggling to create one work using traditional methods, it is possible to convey the feelings of our predecessors in the present day, and feel joy knowing that some things cannot be changed.

Visit this work’s page here.

New Work: Hand-Carved Kettle - Chrysanthemum

Do you know the word ‘wabori’?

Wabori is a carving technique to make sculptures, and has been passed down since ancient times in Japan. However, nowadays it is hardly used. Instead, laser engraving is becoming popular.

But Unzan, one of Kyoto ZUIHODO’s artisans, does not rely on machines. He has inherited his techniques from the past, and uses them to create beautiful and delicate works. One of his works is the chrysanthemum hand-carved kettle.

In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a noble flower used in many places, including on silver teapots. Making works with a machine never matches the fineness of making them by hand, or conveys the passion which the artists put into them.

The Chrysanthemum hand-carved kettlejoined the lineup of Kyoto ZUIHODO’s works in 2018. Please make sure to look out for it.

Visit this work’s page here.

KOGEI Art Fair Kanazawa

We have decided to participate in an arts and crafts fair in Kanazawa. It will be held at Kumu Kanazawa The Share Hotels from Friday 16th November until Sunday 18th November.

Room 204 in the hotel will be Kyoto ZUIHODO’s designated exhibition space, and it will be an interesting event where art will be displayed freely. The exhibits will not be in cases, and visitors can move around as they please and see the things which interest them.

Many artists from Kyoto ZUIHODO will participate, including Ai Shimizu (lacquer), Aki Takahashi (pottery), Miki Kato (pottery), and Mikio Hirai (Nishijin weave). Individual and collaborative works created by each of them will decorate the room.

We will be waiting for everyone to visit.

Visit the event’s official website here. 

Wave Pattern Teapot

This teapot has a calm wave pattern with a satin finish.

It is smaller than the standard size, being 5.4 inches in width, meaning that it is easy for everyone to handle.

The pattern is created by a process of carefully and repeatedly striking the metal, and the finish created with old methods which the artist’s masters used and passed on to them.

Nowadays in Japan, the processes for making silver teapots are more often done by machine than by hand. Because Kyoto ZUIHODO are committed to preserving traditional techniques, wonderful handmade works such as this wave pattern kettle still exist.

There are trends everywhere. At this time, there are also fashions in the world of traditional art. Enhancing the arrangement of old patterns creates new textures, which can become a part of these fashions.

When you want to take a rest, enjoy some tea with a beautiful silver kettle… why not taste such a moment?

Visit this work’s page here.

A Hands-on Golden Joinery Workshop at Kyoto ZUIHODO

On the 23rd September, the Senryo ga Tsuji event will be held. This event in Nishijin, Kyoto, is the biggest one for conveying the history in an exciting way.

At Kyoto ZUIHODO, lacquer artist Ai Shimizu will hold a hands-on golden joinery workshop. For the workshop, epoxy resin and a substitute lacquer will be used instead of genuine golden lacquer. Although the materials will be different, you will still experience for yourself the ancient process of how to do golden joinery which has been handed down through the ages.

To participate in this workshop costs ¥3,500 per person. If you would also like to use some of our crockery, you will need to pay an extra ¥500. Alternatively, you may also bring your own items.

Time: There will be two session on the 23rd September at 11am and 3pm.

Please contact Kyoto Zuihodo to reserve your place.

Phone number: 075-748-0953

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.