Book information
Book information
Shikuntei-koujitsu
About 100 years ago, the living national treasure Shounsai Ikuno built a simple workshop on the site of a terraced rice field near Beppu Bay in Oita, and the history of Konokunitei began. As Shounsai and his son Tokuzo sharpened their sensibilities as bamboo craftsmen one step at a time, Konokunitei also changed its form little by little over the years, reaching its current form. Like many bamboo art works that have been created over the years, the home and studio named Konokunitei is also a culmination of beauty built by two generations of bamboo artists.
Mr. and Mrs. Tokuzo and Hisako carry on the aesthetics of Shounsai in our daily lives. Work and household chores that are done in step with the hours of the day from sunrise to sunset. You can get a glimpse of the world of Japanese life in which the daily activities are in perfect harmony with the familiar nature of nature. It teaches us that the beauty of Japan can be found in the ordinary, modest way of life.
Publication Guide
Publication guide
Shikuntei-koujitsu | Publication date January 10, 2024
Author Tokuzo Shono
Photography and Editing Ko Watanabe
Design: Kayo Nohara
Published by Gekkosha Co., Ltd.
List price: ¥ 2,800 + consumption tax
Total pages: about 200 pages
Half mold: B5 deformation
Bookbinding: Normal
ISBN: 978-〇-〇〇〇〇〇-〇〇〇-〇 C0072
Shounsai Shono
About Shounsai
Shounsai Shono | Shounsai
1974 – 1904 Bamboo artist Born in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
In 1923, he studied under Sato Chikuyusai. At the age of 21, he became independent and called himself Mujakusai Rakuun, but later used Shounsai Ikuno, who was named by Tetsushu Kanzuki, head of Myoshinji Temple.
From 1938, he worked at the Beppu Craft Guidance Center at the Industrial Research Institute of Oita Prefecture.
Selected for the Bunten exhibition in 1940. Since then, he has opened a store at Bunten, and in 1943, "Meishin Kafu" was selected as a special prize.
After the Second World War, he continued to pursue pure formative beauty, and in 1956 his work "Raging Wave" won the Nitten Hokuto Award. In 1957, "Flame" won the Nitten Special Selection Hokuto Prize.
In 1967, he was certified as the first important intangible cultural property holder (living national treasure) for bamboo crafts.
Tokuzo Shono
About Tokuzo
Tokuzo Shono |
1942-Bamboo Craftsman Born in Oita City
Graduated from the Department of Sculpture, Musashino Art University.
Studied under his father Shounsai. Involved in craft production at Konokunitei Kobo.
In 1974, after the death of Shounsai, he started working as an artist.
Since the following year, he has held numerous solo exhibitions both inside and outside the prefecture.
Since his first selection in 1979, he has been selected for the Nitten every year, and in 1998 he was awarded a special prize.
Since 19080, he has exhibited at the Japan New Crafts Exhibition every year, and has been selected many times. Received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award in 2016. A friend of the Nitten since 1989.
Mainly creates sculptural works by comb stitching with bamboo strips.
Editing/Photography
Editor & photographer
Ko Watanabe | Ko Watanabe
1977- Editor Born in Tokyo
Worked as a freelancer after working for a publishing company.
Main edited books
“Kyoto Everyday Flowers” 2015 Seigensha Co., Ltd.
"Work of Hanamasa" 2018 Seigensha Co., Ltd.
“Travel: Flowers of Masatake Fukumori” by Masatake Fukumori 2023 Inoshinsha Co., Ltd.
Instagram:@nichijyoka