OUR FAVOURITE SHOP, a shop and gallery located in a residential area of Shirokane, Tokyo, jointly organized by KIGI, a company run by art directors Uehara Ryosuke and Watanabe Yoshie, is currently hosting "around Lake Biwa vol.2 - Arrangements," an exhibition showcasing craftsmanship from Shiga. Based on the theme of "arrangements," the exhibition features three scenes depicting "food, water, and prayer" using woodwork from Nakagawa Mokkogei, Japanese candles from Daiyo, and Shigaraki ware from Maruji Seito.



The curator of the second "around Lake Biwa" exhibition is Tomokazu Imai, fifth-generation owner of Maruji Pottery, a Shigaraki ware manufacturer. When it comes to traditional crafts, Kyoto and Kanazawa tend to attract attention, but Shiga Prefecture is actually home to many traditional crafts that have been passed down from generation to generation, including pottery, woodworking, crepe, Japanese candles, and freshwater pearls. "Over the past few years, as I have thought about Shiga's traditional crafts, I have formed connections with various artisans. This project aims to share with many people Shiga's crafts, which have been nurtured since ancient times by the magnificent nature represented by Lake Biwa. This time, we will be exhibiting our works, which are made using wood, fire, and earth," says Imai. Nakagawa Mokkogei is known for its "wooden arrangements." Nakagawa Shuji, who grew up in a family of Kyoto barrel makers, has had his workshop at the foot of Mount Hira in Shiga for 15 years. "With a lake in front of the workshop and mountains behind, Shiga's abundant nature has a wonderful influence on our craftsmanship," he says of Shiga's charms. Using woodworking techniques passed down through generations, they create a wide variety of wooden arrangements, from yutubs and champagne coolers to everyday items like chopsticks and cutlery, to leaf curtains that look like works of art. Daiyo Japanese Candles are "arranged with fire." Founded in Shiga's Lake Biwa region over 100 years ago, Daiyo's fourth-generation owner, Takumi Onishi, says the light of Japanese candles is easily incorporated into modern lifestyles. "Daiyo's Japanese candles are made from 100% plant-based ingredients, such as hazelnut nuts and rice bran. Because they are made from natural ingredients, they can be used safely anywhere in the home. Our Japanese candles also contain no added fragrances. They have almost no unpleasant odor, so they don't interfere with the food itself and are ideal for creating a dining table setting." Imai, the curator, is also the creator of KIKOF, a product he works with KIGI. "For food scenes, we offer KIKOF plates and tableware that are incredibly thin, making them easy to pair with any meal. For water scenes, we offer traditional Shigaraki ware such as washbasins and thick tiles," he says, describing the modern yet classic "earthenware" arrangements. While expressing wood, fire, and earth in different ways, these pieces possess a dignified beauty that embodies a primitive strength. We hope you will take the time to enjoy Shiga crafts integrated into your daily life at OFS.


A curtain of leaves resembling a bamboo blind as an arrangement for prayer
An arrangement for prayer expressed with pieces of wood resembling a sacred tree and Japanese candles. "It doesn't just have a religious meaning; I think that confronting what you create, confronting yourself, is also a form of prayer," says Onishi of Oyo.
Smooth wooden tubs and stools are placed on Shigaraki ware tiles. You can practically smell the hot spring water.