Shuji Nakagawa
Shuji Nakagawa, Contemporary Wooden Tub Craftsman
Wooden tubs, or "kioke," have been familiar as daily necessities in Japan since ancient times. These tools, which once served people throughout their lives, from birth to coffin, have now largely fallen out of use. It seemed as though a 700-year-old technique might disappear in just a few decades, suggesting that we need to pause and reflect on our lifestyle.
Shuji Nakagawa of Nakagawa Mokko Koge Hira Kobo is a rare artisan who, while preserving traditional wooden tub techniques, constantly pursues new possibilities. He is both a traditional craftsman and an artist who studied art, specializing in three-dimensional sculpture at Kyoto Seika University. His updated wooden tubs, elevated as "beautiful tools," go beyond the realm of traditional crafts filled with life's wisdom, bringing enrichment to daily life as functional art.
His latest "YORISHIRO" series leverages wooden tub techniques to maximize the appeal of wood as a material. Their mysterious presence evokes the strength, harshness, and sublime beauty of nature.
"Since I loved working with my hands as a child, I was fortunate that my family ran a manufacturing business. However, I wanted to cultivate both my sensitivity as a craftsman, which requires precise planning and meticulous work, and my artistic sensibilities. So, during my apprenticeship, I started earlier and worked later than others to somehow get my dual path acknowledged. Thanks to that, I've gained artist friends and I believe I've laid the groundwork for incorporating creative elements into the world of craftsmanship."
Hira Mountains, Shiga Prefecture, an hour from Kyoto
The roots of "Nakagawa Mokko Koge" trace back to when my grandfather, Kameichi Nakagawa, apprenticed at "Taru-gen," a long-established barrel shop in Kyoto. His skill gained renown, leading him to establish "Nakagawa Mokko Koge" independently.
Currently, his second son, Kiyotsugu Nakagawa, has taken over, but as he was designated a Living National Treasure in 2001, his third son, Shuji, established his own workshop at the foot of Mount Hira, on the shores of Lake Biwa. He chose this location because he loved the scenery of Mount Hira, which he visited during his university days as a member of the mountaineering club.
Mount Hira, located to the west of Lake Biwa, is a representative peak of the prefecture and a famous mountain that has appeared in ancient poetry collections like the Man'yoshu. In autumn, the entire mountain is painted with autumn foliage, and in spring, a unique seasonal wind called "Hira Hakkou" blows.
"YORISHIRO," a condensation of natural beauty
Since ancient times, we have felt a sense of mystery in sacred trees and rocks, and have considered places where deities reside as "yorishiro" (objects that attract spirits). In powerfully undulating natural wood, I find a beauty different from the straight grain used in wooden tubs.
"Trees with knots were originally unusable for wooden tubs and were burned as fuel. However, I realized that by utilizing the knots and splitting the wood along its fibers, I could create a completely different sculptural beauty while maintaining the water-resistant functionality of a tub. It's an artistic beauty that is enhanced by human touch, not just raw nature. As I pursued this balance, I mysteriously found that the essence of beauty is often functionally sound."
Just as flower arrangements bring out the charm of flowers by adding human balance to their natural beauty, YORISHIRO has the power to enrich life by bringing nature into our homes.
From Artist
I used to collect knotted wood that couldn't be used for wooden tubs, thinking, "They look cool." I believe that by using wooden tub techniques, I've created flower vases that are filled with a different kind of charm than straight-grained wood. What's straight remains straight, and what's curved has its individuality extended and transformed into charm. As a craftsman who works with wood, my childhood dream of becoming a craftsman who could fully utilize a single log has come to fruition. Please pick them up and experience the charm of the wood grain and the skill of tub making.
