CRAFTS Ⅰ

Gyoda tabi socks — traditional Japanese two-toed socks — derive their name from the city of Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, where they have been a specialty since the middle of the Edo Period (1603 to 1868). Situated between – rivers — the Tonegawa and the Arakawa — Gyoda and its peripheries are blessed with sandy soil and abundant supplies of water, ideal conditions for growing cotton in the summer. With the introduction of sewing machines at the dawn of the 20th century, mass production of Gyoda tabi socks turned Gyoda into Japan’s top producer of socks. A staple of traditional Japanese clothing, these socks enjoy a rich tradition that endures to this day.

As its name suggests, Edo oshi-e embossed fabric pictures emerged during the Edo Period and have since developed into a longstanding tradition. Oshi-e pressed pictures are created with fabrics and paper that are glued together to produce a three-dimensional effect. Taking great influence from kabuki theater, oshi-e craftsman originally depicted popular kabuki actors in elegant, rich costume.

Oshi-e’s inextricable connection to kabuki derives from the area in which it emerged, Asakusa, where the three largest kabuki theater companies performed during the Edo Period. This area is also the setting of Toshinoichi, a sprawling market active since the Edo Period, and held at the end of every year, specializing in New Year’s supplies and materials. Although producers of oshi-e originally resided in this area, many of them relocated to prefectures surrounding Tokyo following the devastation of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. The craft has evolved since the Edo Period, now being applied to a variety of goods, including hagoita (wooden paddles), portraits, folding screens and fans.

Those interested in learning more about the rich cultural heritage of Japanese craftsmanship should make their way to Aoyama Square in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, where visitors can encounter more than 6,000 traditional crafts from across Japan. From April 3 to 16, the three newly designated traditional crafts — Gyoda tabi socks; Edo oshi-e embossed fabric pictures; and Naniwa honzome hand-dyeing — will also be on display.

Aoyama Square hosts workshops on a wide array of art forms, including textiles, potteries, metal-working and lacquerware, where participants learn traditional techniques directly from master artisans. Of course, Aoyama Square also sells a variety of goods, and it periodically holds special exhibitions where artisans discuss their work and answer questions. Whether an artisan or someone with a passing interest in Japanese craftsmanship, Aoyama Square should be a top destination for those who wish to learn more about the world of Japanese craftsmanship.

URL: https://kougeihin.jp/