Learning from craftspeople living in harmony with trees

In this region, where the teachings of the Aizu clan strongly persist, the culture of tea gathering and gardens favored by the samurai have evolved uniquely. Woodworking and lacquer techniques have also developed distinctively, shaped by the passage of time. Here, one can encounter both timeless spirituality and the creative adaptation to changing times.

In settings like old warehouses, traditional homes, inns, and workshops, the transformation goes beyond just renovating or relocating. We also experience the power of curation and management that reimagines scattered work, functions, and communities, along with the force of 'emergence' that brings new dynamics to these spaces.

In a time when jobs that sustain craftsmanship and culture are dwindling, we set out to explore how artisans collaborate and how crafts bring people together by visiting various workshops. Amidst the rapid advancement of AI and robotics, this exploration offers a chance to take a broad look at the ecosystem of making things and to ponder the satisfaction derived from engaging in meaningful work.

Try layering your chosen colors of lacquer on a primed wood grain. Involving yourself in the hands-on process of crafting tea utensils, you'll tap into the age-old wisdom of humanity, which has ingeniously harnessed the qualities of plants such as lacquer for centuries.

As you create moments and spaces that delight you, indulge in an outdoor tea gathering using your selected lacquerware. By measuring your preferred amount of water and experimenting with matcha preparation, this experience could reveal ways to seamlessly blend the art of tea into your everyday life.