News On Japan

Ryukyu Lacquerware Gets a Modern Touch

NAHA, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - An exhibition featuring works by young artisans was held Sunday in Naha as part of an initiative to preserve the traditional techniques of Ryukyu lacquerware.

The event showcased a range of everyday items, including accessories and small containers, all crafted using the intricate ‘raden’ technique. This decorative method involves cutting and embedding or attaching shells, such as luminous turban shells, onto the surface of lacquerware, creating unique and elegant designs. The exhibition aimed to highlight the craftsmanship of young artisans who are carrying forward this centuries-old tradition while incorporating modern elements into their work.

This preservation initiative was launched by Ryukyu Bank in 2019 to address challenges such as a declining number of successors in the Ryukyu lacquerware industry. The bank has been actively supporting artisans through various programs to ensure the continuity of these delicate and highly skilled techniques. The exhibition provided young craftsmen with a platform to showcase their expertise, promote their work, and attract public interest in Ryukyu lacquerware, which has long been a symbol of Okinawan cultural heritage.

Among the featured artisans, Shimaoka spoke about the technical challenges of working with shells, explaining that capturing their natural beauty while cutting and attaching them with precision required great skill. She noted that the theme of her work was to blend traditional techniques with contemporary product designs, making lacquerware more accessible to modern consumers. Kakazu, another artisan, shared his perspective on studying and recreating traditional lacquerware. He expressed his ambition to remain both an artist and researcher, exploring various styles and applications of lacquerware with a flexible approach, ensuring that the craft does not become rigid or outdated.

Visitors to the exhibition were impressed by the delicate artistry and the dedication of the artisans. Some remarked on the intricate craftsmanship involved, describing it as an incredible and admirable skill, while others praised the effort to modernize the tradition without losing its essence. The event demonstrated how Ryukyu lacquerware can evolve while still preserving its cultural significance.

As part of this initiative, young artisans are also taking on the challenge of reviving lacquerware pieces from the Ryukyu royal era, a period known for its high-level craftsmanship and sophisticated designs. Ryukyu Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these efforts, emphasizing the importance of passing down Okinawa’s rich artistic traditions to future generations.

Source: 沖縄ニュースOTV

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan’s H3 Rocket No. 7, carrying a newly developed unmanned cargo spacecraft, successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 9 a.m. on October 26th, marking another milestone for the nation’s space program.

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

A 38-year-old man was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on October 24th after attacking a riot police officer with a knife, injuring the officer’s right leg.

A group in Sapporo achieved a Guinness World Record on October 25th for creating the world’s largest sentence made entirely from plastic bottle caps. The artwork, composed of around 80,000 caps, was officially recognized under the category “Largest Sentence Made from Bottle Caps.”

A 47-year-old man accused of possessing cannabis in Nagoya has been acquitted after the Nagoya High Court ruled that the procedures used to seize the evidence were illegal. The decision, handed down on October 9th, became final after prosecutors decided not to appeal.

A 38-year-old man was killed on October 24th in the village of Higashinaruse, Akita Prefecture, after attempting to rescue a couple in their seventies who were being attacked by a bear.

A memorial service marking 80 years since the end of World War II was held in Shari, a town in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko region, on October 22nd to honor those who perished in the Northern Territories and other areas.

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested Naoki Satake, an unemployed suspect, on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury after he allegedly sprayed tear gas on a man and tried to steal 53 million yen in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward in September.