ARTS & FOLK CRAFTS
Shizuoka is famous for its woodcrafts and other traditional
crafts, and has a historical reason for the presence of so many traditional
crafts in the area: Many famous artisans -- carpenters, sculptors, lacquer
ware makers, as well as the craftsmen who made architectural fittings --
were brought here to help construct Sumpu Castle, where the feudal Lord
Tokugawa Ieyasu retired. Come here to see original works of art that are
centuries old. And you can take a little of Japan home with you in the form
of affordable and unique handicrafts.
·MOA Art Museum -- A world class art museum
·Shizuoka Prefectural Museum --including a gallery of Rodin sculptures
·Serizawa Keisuke Museum--Textile design museum
MUSEUMS
MOA Art Museum--The founder of this museum devoted his life to collecting works of art believing that "great art purifies people's souls, elevating them to a state of happiness." And he felt that great art should not be privately owned but available to the public. This collection, which features priceless Japanese and foreign works of art, was founded with the dual purpose of introducing Japan's citizens to fine works of art from abroad, while introducing foreigners to the great works of art of Japan. The collection includes about 3,500 works of art, 60 important cultural properties, and three national treasures including Ogata Korin's famous screen "Red and White Plum Trees." The main collection are the Asian paintings, calligraphy, and arts and crafts. The collection of Western painting and sculpture has increased in recent years and the museum is proud to have in exhibit Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" and Henry Moore's sculpture "King and Queen." The museum is also the home of the Museum Cultural Foundation, which promotes a wide range of cultural activities. It is surely worth a visit to this fine museum for a full appreciation of Japanese art and art history.
Shizuoka Prefectural Museum -- The Rodin Wing
The Bridge Gallery of the Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art leads you to the wing highlighting the work of famed French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Standing in the center of the hall, one is bathed in diffused light emanating from the museum's skylit glass ceiling. There are 28 bronze statues by Rodin here, including the famous "Citizens of Calais" 'the Head of Balzac," and, of course, "The Thinker." Visitors can view the sculpture casting process in Room No. 1
Serizawa Keisuke Museum -- This museum is located on the grounds of the reconstructed Toro Ruins. The museum preserves the ever-changing display of the work and collection of the late Serizawa Keisuke. Serizawa, an honorary citizen of Shizuoka (he lived here during a period of his life) is one of the rare artists to be designated as a Living National Treasure during his lifetime. Serizawa, a founding member of the Mingei (folk craft) movement, used bold patterns and the rich coloration of Kataezome stencil dyeing, a technique he perfected, to create his own unique art, and is internationally acknowledged as a master textile designer. Also housed in this museum is Serizawa's extensive collection of folk crafts from all over the world.
FOLK CRAFTS
Sunpu Rakuichi--This shop operated by Shizuoka City, is located in Shizuoka Station. The shop exhibits and introduces the local crafts and products of the prefecture and all items are for sale. It was also established as a meeting place for citizens, craftsmen and industrial artists with the hope that these encounters would lead to the lively exchange of ideas. Here you can see both traditional handmade crafts and well as the latest advanced techniques employed for new designs. Special exhibitions are held in the gallery throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a present that you feel is truly representative of traditional Japanese arts and crafts, or a simple souvenir, you are sure to find it here.
Suruga Bamboo latticeware--Shizuoka
city has an especially fine quality of bamboo and there is evidence people here
have fashioned tools and utilitarian items from bamboo since prehistoric times.
An interesting fact of history is that during the feudal period Samurai, famed
for their fearlessness, fashioned cages and hats from bamboo to supplement their
work as warriors! In 1873 Suruga (as Shizuoka was then known) bamboo latticework
was exhibited at the World Exhibition in Vienna; after that, many people, attracted
to the unique Oriental designs, created a market for bamboo products to be exported
to Europe. As the technique to create bamboo latticework was increasingly refined,
it was designated "a traditional handicraft" by the Minister of Trade
and Industry. For hundreds of years, Japanese have produced an infinite variety of artistic and useful items from this versatile plant. It is said to take 5-10 years to learn the techniques of bamboo latticework, challenging craftsmen to train apprentices who can maintain this traditional handicraft. Skilled craftsmen split the bamboo along the grain into many fine "strings", producing exquisite vases, trays, fruit baskets, lantern shades, lamps and bird cages which have an inimitable delicate beauty. If you would like the experience of seeing craftsmen at work at a forest studio, call Shizuoka Takekogei Kyodokumiai (Shizuoka Bamboo Crafts Co-op): Tel (054) 252-4924.
Shizuhatayaki--Shizuhata Ceramic Art has it origins in an interesting twist of fate. In 1572, at the Battle on Mikatahara Plain (featured in the acclaimed Akira Kurosawa film " Kagemusha ") the retreating troops of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu turned backed the troops of Takeda by building great bonfires at Hamamatsu Castle and shouting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi ! " (Out with the devil, in with good fortune!) To celebrate the unexpected victory, Ota Shichirouemon made cups in the shape of the devil outside and the face of a goddess on the inside and presented them to Ieyasu who became his patron. Shizuhatayaki flourished after that time with orders for the ceramic ware coming from Sunpu Castle, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine and Sengenjinja.
There was a sudden decline of Shizuhata ceramic ware around 1830 presumably caused by the great flood at the Abe River which may have washed away the kilns. During the Meiji period, Shizuoka prefecture invited Aoshima Shosuke to create the tradition ceramics as part of a drive to revive the local handicraft industry. His direct descendant, Aoshima Shuka continues today to produce this beautiful pottery -- and you can visit his studio and kiln by calling him directly: Mr. Aoshima Shuka Tel (054) 271-2480 9am to 4pm) 15 minutes on the Seibu Junkan bus line from Shizuoka Station to Yanagimachi.
Kakegawa kuzu-fu--This is hand-woven cloth made from the fibers of arrowroot. The finished material has a lovely sheen and is highly water resistant. Said to date back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333) artisans produce bags, coin purses, footwear and floor coverings using this light and sturdy material.
Suruga lacquerware -- Finely crafted vermilion and
black-based lacquer ware that displays the wood of the zelkova tree to advantage.
This ware's special characteristic is the use of makie, exquisite designs made
with gold and silver powders. Suruga-zome -- This type of dyed cloth is distinguished by its simple yet impressive beauty created by the striking contrasts between indigo, light blue and white.
Moriyama-yaki--This local ceramic ware is known for its warmth and simple beauty and is used for flower vases, kitchenware and tea utensils. It is famous among fans of ceramic ware for its unusual glaze that produces deep earthy reds.
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