Bringing crafts that cultivate the sensibilities of beauty to life
── Recently, you have started a new attempt to get people to use crafts.
In cooperation with Kumamoto Prefecture, we created a bowl called “Wandafuru (Wan refers to bowl and a mixture of the English term wonderful) Kumamon,” which is designed with the motif of a character Kumamon that is very popular with children. There are three sizes so that it can be used widely from children to adults. I hope that it will be an entrance for children to learn about the warmth of wood and enjoy using it.
About 10 years ago, I began making wooden bowls as a souvenir for kindergarten graduation. I am told that some children have come to wash and manage only the wooden bowl themselves and also began to treat other things carefully. I think if a child grows up feeling Japanese culture with his skin while using lacquered bowls, he will grow up to be a very sensitive adult.
I think that the best fortune given by the rich nature of Japan, which has four seasons, is the culture of wooden vessels and lacquerware. Since we are born and raised in Japan, I want everyone to enjoy it and live a happy and fulfilling life every day.
Of course, it is important to have the sensibilities that can be refined by enjoying extraordinary luxury time, such as going to the museum from time to time; but in the small things that are repeated every day, I recommend people to constantly improve their sensibilities. I think that such an ancient Japanese lifestyle that touches and feels the beauty of everyday life and enhances sensibilities is a universal and highly cultural lifestyle.
── We should all cherish our daily life. Thank you very much.
Kazumi Murose
Born in Tokyo in 1950. In addition to his creations, he is involved in the preservation and restoration of cultural properties, imitation production, and guidance at home and abroad. In 2008, he was certified as an important intangible cultural property holder and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon. He is the vice president the Japan Craft Association and the President of the Mokichi Okada Art and Culture Foundation The latest collection of works “Kazumi Murose Works” (Shinchosha Publishing) also includes photographs of lacquerware that he usually uses and talks with cultural figures about crafts.
This article was published in the magazine “Paradise” No. 57 (Autumn 2014).
