Kogei Art KYOTO

We sell “Kogei” the traditional applied fine art of Kyoto.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Ai Imamura

Octagonal Lidded Box with Kirikane Design: “Sprouting”

My mental image for this piece was that of the moment a plant sprouts. A small sprout in no time sends roots down into the earth so that the plant can gather the blessings of heaven and earth. As signs of spring appear, the spout blooms into a beautiful form that is fully of life. That is the image I wanted to create.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Koken Murata

Earth, Sky and Sea

I made this piece based on a theme of light and water drops falling from the heavens to moisten the earth with an admiration for the grandeur of the life that is nourished and the clarity of a heart in prayer. Original techniques are used for Maki-e, inlaid mother of pearl,relief, Hakuoshi (foil pressing), and others.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Ryozo Shibata

Wave Vessel

I wanted to make a form that was different from the concentric shapes that are made on a potter’s wheel. I placed a slab of clay in a hammock I made from fabric to form a shape like a slab plate and then decorated and fired it.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Kenji Omachi

Saikiko Compass

A compass is considered to bring good luck because it allows people to gather. I made this piece by creating Saikiko around the compass.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Yoko Kamitani

Moon Boat

I made this work based on the feeling that, after days of working very hard, I’d like to get on the moon and take a trip for even just one night (lye-fermented indigo dyeing).

[kogeiartkyoto]

Yuko Hayashi

Flower scissors

I was impressed by the techniques used for Japanese confectionery, so I developed my own technique to cut clay with scissors, which I call “clay clipping.” I combined flowers and feathers that I cut individually in fine details to create a unique world in the middle of this platter with white porcelain and scissors.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Shogo Okamoto

Tengeiken (Tengei Sword)

I wanted to use a metal sword to express the spirit of prayer, strength,and beauty concealed in people. The sword confronts the viewer as a representation of a penetrating shape. The power of an Amagatsu doll to ward off evil is infused in the sword. The white color of the sword indicates the presence of a god, nature, or something else that exceeds human wisdom. The name is the Sword of Amagatsu: Tengeiken.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Toki Hata

Music of Spring (from “Celebrating 400 Years of Rimpa”)

This kimono was made for the “Celebrating 400 Years of Rimpa: an exhibition of the works of 200 Kyoto artists” exhibition. This was a great opportunity to reconsider what Rimpa was, how to sense the beauty of Rimpa, which was born in Kyoto, and how to see it in a modern context.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Issey Hattori

Expansive Sky

I made this piece so that people could feel the beauty of black lacquer and gold Maki-e. Maki-e and inlaid mother of pearl are said to have been established in the Nara Period (710 to 784). I used these techniques, which have been faithfully passed down through the generations, to skillfully create shapes and designs that are not typical of traditional lacquerware.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Ai Imamura

Lidded Box with Kirikane Design: “Peacock”

In this piece I portrayed a peacock with its feathers wide open along with various plants. Peacocks are said to protect us from venomous snakes and insects.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Koken Murata

Wind Flowing over Me

Life grows wrapped in light and water. The ephemeral cherry blossoms as they scatter symbolize the cycle of life. The gold color that indicates the light expressed with relief is dyed red. The water is expressed with the deep beauty of black lacquer,as the inlaid mother of pearl emphasizes the expanses of spacein the never-ending universe.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Ryozo Shibata

Flower Vase with Inlaid Line and Cobalt Pattern

I threw this on a wheel trying to pull it as high as possible each time to make a tall flower vase on which I painted a pattern before firing it.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Yoko Kamitani

Come Around

Flowers bloom, scatter, and then bloom again. I made this work thinking that the same is true for people, who’s lives come and go, and we are all a part of that cycle (lye-fermented indigo dyeing).

[kogeiartkyoto]

Yuko Hayashi

Feather scissors

I was impressed by the techniques used for Japanese confectionery, so I developed my own technique to cut clay with scissors, which I call “clay clipping.” I combined many feathers that I cut individually in fine details to create a unique world in the middle of this platter with white porcelain and scissors.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Shogo Okamoto

Tengeiken

I wanted to use a metal sword to express the spirit of prayer, strength,and beauty concealed in people. The sword confronts the viewer as a representation of a penetrating shape. The power of an Amagatsu doll to ward off evil is infused in the sword. The white color of the sword indicates the presence of a god, nature, or something else that exceeds human wisdom. The name is the Sword of Amagatsu: Tengeiken.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Toki Hata

Memories of Dawn

I wanted to make a design that combined a diamond pattern with some sort of flower. After completing many idea sketches, I arrived at using roses. Then after considering colors, I decided to use a dark gray background. After waking up I tried to remember my dream, and although I could not remember all of it, I thought of beautiful roses on a fabricated background.

[kogeiartkyoto]

Makimasa Imai

Gateway to Success

I made a carp based on the Chinese story about a carp that practiced climbing waterfalls until it reached heaven and turned into a dragon. In Japan, there is a custom of putting up carp streamers on Children’s Day in May to wish for the growth of children. With this piece, I wanted to show the carp as it practices with the aspiration of becoming a dragon.