Functional and Alluring: Japanese Bamboo Art

February 6, 2020

Japan Society
333 E 47th Street

Resilient and sustainable, bamboo is a versatile crop found all over Japan. Used to create baskets and other everyday products, beppu take kogei, or bamboo weaving, is a craft with deep traditional roots. Beppu City, in Oita Prefecture, is known not only for skill in the craft, but also for the superior variety of locally grown bamboo. The intricacies of this craft have evolved beyond practical goods into contemporary and traditional artwork. At this talk, master bamboo craftsmen Kenichi Otani and Takayuki Shimizu will create a large shikainami basket on-stage, demonstrating the precision and skill that goes into traditional bamboo crafting. They are joined by Yasuhiro Nagano, Mayor of Beppu City and Satoru Nakajima of Sestante Japan.

Followed by a viewing reception featuring contemporary and traditional beppu bamboo crafts, including valuable artworks that are being exhibited for the first time in the United States.

Tickets: $15/$12 members, seniors & students