About the Project
“Layers of Japanese Craft” is a project by TATRAS that fuses the traditional crafts rooted in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, with contemporary sensibilities. Guided by TATRAS’ enduring theme of “reconstructing tradition for the modern age,” the project reinterprets the values and techniques Japan takes pride in through a distinctly contemporary lens.
Art direction was led by YOSHIROTTEN, internationally acclaimed for visualizing elements such as light, time, and culture as layered expressions. In addition, Wajima-based ceramic and lacquer artist Kohei Kirimoto created special lacquerware pieces exclusively for this project. The creativity of these three forces intersected and resonated deeply with one another in harmony.
Interview with Kohei Kirimoto
TATRAS has consistently pursued initiatives that merge Japanese traditional crafts with modern sensibilities. In 2024, the brand collaborated with Asahiyaki, the 400-year-old traditional craft of Uji, Kyoto, unveiling a commemorative piece to mark the opening of its Ginza flagship store. Now, a new capsule collection has emerged, aiming to embody the “present” of Japanese culture.
At the heart of this project stands Kohei Kirimoto, a lacquer artist based in Wajima City. In 2024, he endured the devastating loss of his workshop in the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Although still in the process of rebuilding, he established a temporary studio in Wajima to undertake production for this special project. In light of these circumstances, we spoke with Kirimoto to explore his unwavering dedication to creation and his steadfast belief in craftsmanship.
The Color Expression Created by “Bokashi-Nuri”
This special collaboration was realized through the convergence of Kirimoto’s craftsmanship and YOSHIROTTEN’s visual language. At its core lies the color expression born from the traditional Japanese lacquer technique known as “bokashi-nuri.” The depth that emerges from layers of lacquer applied one upon another, and the shifting qualities of light they reveal from this technique, became the starting point of this project.
The expressive potential of “bokashi-nuri” strongly inspired the creativity of and the craftsmanship of TATRAS, influencing the overall visuals and spatial design of the project. By reexamining the essential appeal of this traditional technique through a contemporary perspective, “Layers of Japanese Craft” has taken shape as a new expression that connects past and present.
