We introduce high definition reproductions of Japanese cultural treasures of fusuma-e (sliding door art) and byobu-e (screens) to modern and contemporary spaces worldwide. Originally, about three to four centuries ago, these cultural treasures were made by great masters in Japan. These unique, historical works of art are displayed in private and corporate spaces. The result is a grand display of rare, illustrative works of art.
Traditional industrial art technique - gold leaf application -
It is said that the gold leaf on art is impossible to reproduce with contemporary printing technology. However, the most significant characteristic of Kyoto's Cultural Treasures is in the gold leaf. We use the technique of traditional industrial art from Nishijin, Kyoto, in order to reproduce the gold leaf. During the exhibition, we are planning to create a booth to demonstrate to the audiences the application of the gold leaf.
Mr. Hiroto Rakusho (Industrial Artist)
Born in 1962. Mr. Hiroto Rakusho has been involved in gold leaf application under the instruction of his father Mr. Jisaku Nishiyama, an awarded artist of Kyoto City’s traditional industry Association. Mr. Hiroto Rakusho not only focused on keeping the tradition, but also concentrated on creating artistic coloring in gold leaf pieces. In 1997, he was selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as an acknowledged Traditional Industrial Artist. He expanded his field into research of metal materials and their chemical reactions. He also collaborated with artists from various genres to restore and design interiors at the Kyoto National Museum and the Nagoya Marriott Hotel. In 2002, he founded Hiroto Rakusho, and Tsuki no Kioku (memories of the moon), a kimono brand from Nishijin. He introduced the traditional techniques such as adding/restoring colors to original art and gold leaf application into the digital archive project. He now intends to distribute the Japanese culture to the world.
It is said that the gold leaf on art is impossible to reproduce with contemporary printing technology. However, the most significant characteristic of Kyoto's Cultural Treasures is in the gold leaf. We use the technique of traditional industrial art from Nishijin, Kyoto, in order to reproduce the gold leaf. During the exhibition, we are planning to create a booth to demonstrate to the audiences the application of the gold leaf.
Mr. Hiroto Rakusho (Industrial Artist)
Born in 1962. Mr. Hiroto Rakusho has been involved in gold leaf application under the instruction of his father Mr. Jisaku Nishiyama, an awarded artist of Kyoto City’s traditional industry Association. Mr. Hiroto Rakusho not only focused on keeping the tradition, but also concentrated on creating artistic coloring in gold leaf pieces. In 1997, he was selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as an acknowledged Traditional Industrial Artist. He expanded his field into research of metal materials and their chemical reactions. He also collaborated with artists from various genres to restore and design interiors at the Kyoto National Museum and the Nagoya Marriott Hotel. In 2002, he founded Hiroto Rakusho, and Tsuki no Kioku (memories of the moon), a kimono brand from Nishijin. He introduced the traditional techniques such as adding/restoring colors to original art and gold leaf application into the digital archive project. He now intends to distribute the Japanese culture to the world.
Traditional industrial art technique -mounting -
Mounter frames the digitally printed Washi with gold leaf. He will complete the reproduction in the forms of fusuma (sliding doors) and byobu (folding screen) which are uncommon in Western culture.
Mr. Tatsuo Ooiri (Representative Director of Ooiri Co.,Ltd.)
In 1951, Momotaro Ooiri founded Ooiri Firm. Upon graduation of high school, Tatsuo, Momotaro's first son, joined mount-business of the comparny. After being engaged in repairing, reproducing, and creating replica of old documents and books, Tatsuo established Ooiri, Corporation. He has been involved in traditional Japanese book restoration and replica creating for museum exhibitions, including Jyoshi Shinzu kan (Proverb for women) at The British Library, documents (800 volumes) at Shoso-in Treasure House, and Hanazono in shinki (Hanazono Imperial notes) at Imperial Household Agency's document. He has been heavily involved in restoration projects since 1989, mainly for university libraries, archive facilities and museums. He is also working on the analysis project of recently discovered original hand written copy of Narrow path to the far North. He is engaged in putting the book into pieces and restoring it back together for the research purposes. Mr. Oiri is expanding his field of work into Washi, Japanese traditional paper, ranging from kakejiku (hanging scroll), byobu (folding screen), and fusuma (sliding door) to antique paintings/drawings. He is also involved in archive preservation and digitalizing projects.
Mounter frames the digitally printed Washi with gold leaf. He will complete the reproduction in the forms of fusuma (sliding doors) and byobu (folding screen) which are uncommon in Western culture.
Mr. Tatsuo Ooiri (Representative Director of Ooiri Co.,Ltd.)
In 1951, Momotaro Ooiri founded Ooiri Firm. Upon graduation of high school, Tatsuo, Momotaro's first son, joined mount-business of the comparny. After being engaged in repairing, reproducing, and creating replica of old documents and books, Tatsuo established Ooiri, Corporation. He has been involved in traditional Japanese book restoration and replica creating for museum exhibitions, including Jyoshi Shinzu kan (Proverb for women) at The British Library, documents (800 volumes) at Shoso-in Treasure House, and Hanazono in shinki (Hanazono Imperial notes) at Imperial Household Agency's document. He has been heavily involved in restoration projects since 1989, mainly for university libraries, archive facilities and museums. He is also working on the analysis project of recently discovered original hand written copy of Narrow path to the far North. He is engaged in putting the book into pieces and restoring it back together for the research purposes. Mr. Oiri is expanding his field of work into Washi, Japanese traditional paper, ranging from kakejiku (hanging scroll), byobu (folding screen), and fusuma (sliding door) to antique paintings/drawings. He is also involved in archive preservation and digitalizing projects.
Mr. Yoshitsugu Yamaji (Yamaji Inc.)
Born in 1971. After graduating from Department of Economy, Yamaguchi University, and worked for a trading company, he became the 4th generation of his family business of mounting. Yamaji Taizan Do was founded more than 120 years ago by Hironori Yamaji in Hiroshima. Despite relatively short history compared to major mounting businesses, with its extraordinary technique and sensitivity, the company has been restoring gold leaf wall decoration, byobu (folding screen), fusuma (sliding door), and kakejiku (hanging scroll) at shrines and temples. In recent years, company is handling golden folding screens at Prime Minister's Residence and at the Hotel Okura. Company does not limit its activities to the field of mounting; it is searching the way to make contribution to the Japanese culture through their mounting technique. It also aims to combine the traditional industrial arts and digital archive projects. The company has been awarded Hiroshima Venture Patronize Award by the Hiroshima Venture Foundation in 2004. Mr. Yamaji joins the mission of The Kyoto International Cultural Foundation and intends to distribute the Japanese art to the world.
Born in 1971. After graduating from Department of Economy, Yamaguchi University, and worked for a trading company, he became the 4th generation of his family business of mounting. Yamaji Taizan Do was founded more than 120 years ago by Hironori Yamaji in Hiroshima. Despite relatively short history compared to major mounting businesses, with its extraordinary technique and sensitivity, the company has been restoring gold leaf wall decoration, byobu (folding screen), fusuma (sliding door), and kakejiku (hanging scroll) at shrines and temples. In recent years, company is handling golden folding screens at Prime Minister's Residence and at the Hotel Okura. Company does not limit its activities to the field of mounting; it is searching the way to make contribution to the Japanese culture through their mounting technique. It also aims to combine the traditional industrial arts and digital archive projects. The company has been awarded Hiroshima Venture Patronize Award by the Hiroshima Venture Foundation in 2004. Mr. Yamaji joins the mission of The Kyoto International Cultural Foundation and intends to distribute the Japanese art to the world.
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