The "Beauty of Kumiko, Created by Wood and Hands" exhibition, showcasing the works of kumiko artist Masanobu Shiozawa, will open on May 10th at the Mikimoto Hall on the 6th floor of the Mikimoto flagship store. This exhibition features approximately 30 of Shiozawa's works, including the summer shoji screen "Couple Pine Trees," which won the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award at the 2003 National Joinery Exhibition, as well as school windows and folding screens. This will be the first time that so many of his works will be displayed together in Tokyo. Kumiko is a craftsmanship technique that creates various patterns by combining pieces of wood called "kude" without using nails. It is used for fittings such as shoji screens and transoms in Japanese rooms. It requires the most precise and sophisticated handcraftsmanship of all Japanese architectural and woodworking techniques. Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1973, Shiozawa's father was a joiner, and he entered the world of craftsmanship after graduating from junior high school. At the age of 27, he became the youngest person to receive the Prime Minister's Award at the National Joinery Exhibition. While preserving traditional techniques, he incorporates his own original "creative kumiko" technique, which makes extensive use of curves, to create paintings that are like paintings drawn with the natural colors of the wood and intricate kumiko.


[Event Information]
The beauty of kumiko woven by wood and hands
Location: Mikimoto Hall (6th floor of Mikimoto Main Store)
Address: 4-5-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: May 10th to June 2nd, 2013
Time: 11:00 to 19:00
Free admission