Lack - Dokumentarfilme zum japanischen Kunsthandwerk

In the organizer's words:

Kyushitsu - The Art of Mashiki Masumura -
髹漆-増村益城のわざ- Kyûshitsu - Masumura Mashiki no waza -

Director: (unspecified)
1982, 32 minutes, English, DVD

Masumura Mashiki (1910-1996) is considered the most important dry lacquer master of modern times and was named a "Living National Treasure" in 1978. His works are characterized by high perfection and timeless beauty. The documentary accompanies him at work.

Kyushitsu, The Art of Komori Kunie
髹漆-小森邦衞のわざ- Kyûshitsu - Komori Kunie no waza -

Director: INOUE Minoru
2012, 37 minutes, English, DVD

The "Living National Treasure" Komori Kunie runs the Ishikawa Prefecture Lacquerware Education Center. The film was shot in his own workshop and shows the time-consuming steps involved in the production of high-quality lacquerware.

Functionality and beauty

Documentaries on Japanese arts and crafts

Japanese handicrafts are unique and internationally recognized for their functionality, perfection and beauty. Its production methods are characterized by high precision and craftsmanship, which have often been developed over centuries and passed on to subsequent generations.

Accompanying the exhibition "Japanese Happiness", 20 documentaries will be shown that were created between 1971 and 2019 and provide an insight into various areas of Japanese arts and crafts. On the one hand, they are dedicated to various materials such as paper, bamboo, wood, lacquer, metal and textiles, while on the other they present decorative techniques such as maki-e, yûzen and local characteristics.

What is particularly impressive is that the individual areas are presented using the example of outstanding personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the arts and crafts. These masters, including two women, were honored by the Japanese state with the designation "Living National Treasure" (Ningen kokuhô) for their outstanding ability to continue and preserve a traditional craft. This vividly illustrates the technical and creative skills required and the great effort needed to achieve a satisfactory result.

Price information:

Admission free