April 2024
Is Tsumami zaiku really traditional craft of Japan?
Hello, I am Tomomi Yamashita, ITA Teacher and Director. Tsumami zaiku is known as a traditional Japanese craft, but, to be exact, it is Japan's traditional craft designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. So why? I guess you might ask. Tsumami zaiku was positioned as a "traditional craft designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government" because Tokyo was the only area where tsumami zaiku was being produced at the time it was certified as a traditional craft. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) was in charge of this certification at the time, which is probably why the requirement was set in this way. If it had been under the […]
Honorable Mention in the AJC(Arts Japan Craft) Creators Contest!
Hello, I am Cecil Lee, ITA Certified Teacher in China! Last month, my tsumami zaiku work was exhibited in the AJC Creators Contest in Tokyo. So I would like to introduce my 2024 AJC Creators Contest entry items. It’s a wonderful journey with the AJC in the 2024 spring. My work name was “Years of Sea and Mountains”, I used Japanese paper to make the sea and mountains, and made the Japanese paradise flycatcher by using the tsumami zaiku technique. First I made the double-thickness Japanese paper with glue and then drew 55 pieces of sea and 15 pieces of mountain patterns on the paper, finally will cut along the […]