At the turning point of 50 years, the baton touch "heart of folk art" is entrusted to the next generation distributor | Hotosena NEWS

"Toru Folk Art Store" has been conveying the heart of folk art for half a century in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Former store owner, Ms. Yuko Kobayashi, is a long-established folk art store that frequently visits makers all over the country and handles the products that she has determined. Kobayashi decided to retire because it became difficult for her to keep her shop physically before she was 80 years old. I entrust my thoughts as a distributor to Mr. Hisashi Yamamoto, who has recently been selected as his successor. The reopening is February 5th. We covered the history of the Fuminbu store and the thoughts that will lead to the next generation.

Communicate the thoughts of the "maker" to the "user"

The word "folk craft", which was coined by Soetsu Yanagi and others at the end of the Taisho era, is an abbreviation for folk crafts. It is a durable, inexpensive, and beautiful item that is used in daily life as opposed to the arts and crafts that are appreciated. “If it's a cup, try holding it with both hands once. If you try the grip of the handle or touch the skin of the cup, you can feel the warmth and feelings of the creator,” says Kobayashi.

As a distributor of folk crafts, Mr. Kobayashi has valued "to convey the thoughts of the creator to the user." She visited the workshops all over the country directly to identify folk crafts and listened carefully to her thoughts on her creation.

She often visited Okinawa, the production center of Yachimun. "The moment I walked around the market, touched the climate of the land and the temperament of people, and came across good pottery. It was really fun." Sometimes I advise the creator that "this is a little thinner" and "no need for excessive decoration". This is an episode that shows the relationship of trust between Mr. Kobayashi and the creator.

Her husband Hiroyuki, who was her office worker, is also a good understanding of her. When it was a good holiday, the two of them drove to Tohoku, packed the car with Iwate bamboo products and Shinshu baskets, and took it home. Mr. Kobayashi's purchases have spread not only in Japan but also to Chile, China, Indonesia, Thailand and other parts of the world.

A folk art store opens in the Bikan Historical Quarter with a keen eye for beauty

Mr. Kobayashi joined Okayama Tenmaya in 1963, and she was assigned to the sales floor (at that time) of Okayama Prefectural Folklore Promotion Co., Ltd. At the age of 28, when her keen aesthetics were bought, she opened a store for the Fuminbu, backed up by the then president, Yasushi Sugioka. Mr. Kobayashi, who continued to face her creator sincerely, deepened his friendship with Shinzo Kodani, the founder of "Kurashiki Glass", and Jiro Kinjo, a living national treasure of Okinawa.

In particular, Mr. Kobayashi has earned the full trust of Mr. Kobayashi so much that he continues to exhibit at the same store even after her joyful life.

She learns "beauty for everyday use"

On the other hand, it was Mr. Hisashi Yamamoto who decided to succeed the Fuminbu store. Originally from Kurashiki City, Mr. Yamamoto worked as a photographer for magazines and catalogs in Tokyo, and then made a U-turn to Okayama with his family in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. After that, he joined Okayama Prefectural Folk Art Promotion Co., Ltd., and in addition to standing in the store as a salesperson, he experienced the launch of the homepage, the DM of the exhibition and the production of posters for 9 years.

Mr. Yamamoto said that he frequently went to the Kurashiki Museum of Folklore and the Ohara Museum of Art in the Bikan Historical Quarter to learn about folk art. "Whenever I went, I always served tea and coffee in a bowl recommended by Mr. Kobayashi. I listened to the story while drinking tea in a well-used bowl and deepened my understanding of folk art." "In the cupboard It is not a decoration, but a folk craft that can only be used in daily life. " While talking face-to-face, Mr. Yamamoto receives a message from Mr. Kobayashi.

"At first, I learned from the newspaper that I was looking for a successor. At that time, it was difficult for someone to succeed vaguely. After a while, when I visited the last exhibition, I said," Why don't you try it? Mr. Kobayashi directly called out to me, "says Mr. Yamamoto. And with the support of his family and those around him, I decided to carry on Mr. Kobayashi's thoughts. "Mr. Yamamoto has a good eye. This is the best. Also, he has a calm atmosphere, so I want him to do it naturally," Kobayashi supports. Mr. Yamamoto said, "I feel that it is a strange connection that Mr. Kobayashi, who was backed up by Okayama Prefectural Folklore Promotion, now speaks to me who was working at Okayama Prefectural Folklore Promotion." increase.

I want to expand the circle of folk art with the times

Regarding the renewal, the atmosphere of the store remains the same. The same furniture is used, and the items to be lined up are the same. "We will try to make the flow line a little wider and easier to see, but first of all, I think the theme is to take over."

Mr. Yamamoto has been shooting folk crafts as a photographer.

“The number of visitors to the store has decreased due to the Korona-ka, but I experienced through my previous job that if you show it carefully online, you can convey your thoughts to the user. In addition, I would like to communicate repeatedly so that you can see the difference in baking and the strength of the pattern in photos etc. "

Mr. Yamamoto is also looking forward to the expansion of the base of folk art. "Although folk crafts are loved by a wide range of generations, the number of younger generation fans is increasing. For the generation who grew up full of things, distorted and uneven folk crafts may look fresh. While valuing the circle of hands and users as before, I would like to expand the circle in my own way as the times change. I also want to see the next generation of creators grow up from that. hey"

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