The Traditional Craft Products Month National Assembly held mainly in Arita and Imari

Aiming to raise public awareness of traditional crafts, since 1984, every November is known as traditional crafts' month, with many promotional activities across Japan. Its core event, the Traditional Craft Products Month National Assembly was hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and municipalities from November 21st to 24th, 2014 in Saga Prefecture. The prefecture considered the event as a warm up for the 400th anniversary of Arita porcelain and mainly in Arita and Imari set up several venues and events to spread ceramic culture, including exhibitions and sales of ceramic works, pottery demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and symposiums.

As the Assembly's first initiative, the Production Centers Collaboration Project, a joint effort between Arita porcelain and other production regions of traditional craftworks in Japan was showcased. Inspired by the idea of "An Encounter Leading to New Innovation & Creation," new possibilities for traditional crafts were explored through monozukuri (art of craftsmanship) and personal exchanges in the Collaboration Project.

Material to Co-star: Star double-billing of a wooden base and the potter's wheel

A collaboration between Takehito Nakajima, a lathe artisan of Yamanaka lacquerware, and Mikiko Shirasu, a thrower of Arita porcelain. Hidden beneath the shining skin of Yamanaka lacquerware lies a surprisingly simple lathe-turned wood base, and with no adornment the beauty of wood and white ceramic, free of design, are plain to see and glide to center stage, a pure child of cut wood and fired earth.

Concerning the monozukuri collaboration of turner and thrower, Mr. Nakajima said: "Producers of Kutani tea cups and lacquer saucers have long collaborated, but I was open to learning something new, so I joined the project." However, he quickly found: "There were a number of problems and only a few pieces made it through as finished works. But we did find that the variety of works increased depending on how materials were combined, and a new arrangement would show us the way to the next step." So the new monozukuri is very challenging but rewarding.

"Artisans are apt to shut themselves away in their studio with few opportunities to meet other craft workers, so collaboration with other production areas to get a different view is very healthy. Even though areas and materials are different, artisans share the same ambitions and we inspired each other." (Mr. Nakajima)

Production centers collaboration spearheads breakthrough for new traditional industry from Arita

The Collaboration Project with its two pillars, monozukuri and personal exchanges, is coordinated by Hiroshige Akase, the representative of the Made in Japan Project company engaged in marketing and production of traditional craftwork. He felt there are limits to initiatives in which external specialists come into a production center to make changes. So, to encourage exchanging ideas and learning from other production regions, he proposed to Saga Prefecture, the sponsor of the Assembly, a collaboration with traditional craftwork production centers across Japan. No one knew quite how many centers would respond, but encouragingly the feedback was enthusiastic "If Arita's in, we're in."

In the end, 11 production centers from across Japan took part with Mr. Akase rushing about ardently encouraging participants. "I believe how earnestly the artisans approach their collaboration partner determines success or failure. To motivate participants, the Arita side must show they're really serious about the project," said Mr. Akase. If anyone holds back, they will not be satisfied with the end product; it will not be authentic and quite simply they will have no confidence in selling it.

With the 2016 celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Arita porcelain fast approaching, with this Collaboration Project, Saga Prefecture aims to be the leader in the revitalization of traditional craftwork in Japan. Looking back on the first year, 2014, Mr. Akase said: "I wanted our visitors to the venues displaying the results of the monozukuri program to give us unforgiving feedback, so the artisans can really show what they can do. We must forget the past ways, and start creating something new, otherwise, we will fall behind the times. Yet, if an individual strikes out alone in their local area, they may not be taken too seriously." Therefore, Mr. Akase emphasized: "Take heart and break free by collaborating with other production centers."

In the second year it is planned to start commercial ventures in cooperation with local young designers.
"As the world of traditional crafts is one of ultimate specialization, however excellent an artisan's skill, separation from the market may occur. As for design, it cannot be created just by thinking in front of a PC; if designers don't get out and visit the actual worksite, it won't happen. With firm tie-ups on both sides, I want to create commercially strong articles much appreciated by users, and spread them from Arita across all of Japan." (Mr. Akase)

Moreover, Mr. Akase looked hard at "community development focusing on traditional crafts." He appealed in the personal exchange program to develop a feel for designing the entire ceramics business. He points out at present local awareness of the Arita area is still low. When we look at each pottery, they are filled with a can-do spirit, but since the town has no shared vision of itself as an important center of traditional crafts, their spirit is not focused enough to project an attractive image of the whole package.
After meeting with other production regions, local people are once again aware of Japanese representative production centers of traditional crafts, and among young artisans, a passionate feeling is growing for being born in Arita. From this spirit, the monozukuri of the next era will be born. We look forward to the expansion of the Production Centers Collaboration Project.