Reinterpreted traditional crafts are being re-evaluated both domestically and internationally.

DENTO-HOUSE is a group of Japan's leading graphic designers dedicated to preserving and passing on Japanese traditional culture to the future. With the goal of "design that lasts 100 years," five designers—Katsumi Asaba, Masayoshi Nakajo, Tsuguya Inoue, Kazunari Hattori, and Yukio Nakamura—view the charm of crafts passed down through generations across Japan with a modern sensibility.

Another characteristic of DENTO-HOUSE is its collaboration with small workshops and artisans from regions like Tohoku and Kanto. By focusing on wonderful traditional crafts that are not yet widely known, they aim to revitalize each production area and propose new values.

Last year, exhibitions and events were held in Tokyo, Paris, and Singapore. Notably, the pop-up shop at Ginza Mitsukoshi in October "attracted attention from foreign tourists, particularly from Europe and China, becoming a great opportunity to promote Japan to the world," says director Asami Morikawa.

The most popular items at that time were the Edo woodblock prints "Koshi Sharaku" by Katsumi Asaba, the lacquerware "Little Dragon (Tray)," "Little Dragon (Guinomi)," and "Colony (Guinomi)" by Yukio Nakamura, and Kokeshi dolls in general. "I thought our Japanese customers would be mostly older people, but the Kokeshi dolls were also popular with people in their 30s who are interested in design. I realized that traditional crafts in new forms can be a catalyst for connecting with younger generations," says Morikawa.

Kasukabe Paulownia Chests demonstrated by artisans at Haneda Airport International Terminal.

This year's exhibitions at Haneda Airport International Terminal and in Paris will feature a lineup of various works, including Edo woodblock prints known for their Ukiyo-e style, Kasukabe Paulownia Chests utilizing the techniques developed for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and works expressing lacquerware and Kokeshi dolls—representative Japanese craft techniques—through modern graphics. These pieces, a fusion of cutting-edge modern sensibilities from Japan's graphic design world and the essence of traditional techniques, will be exhibited and sold as art pieces.

From everyday products to impressive large lacquer screens, a diverse range of works will be on display. The biggest highlight, however, is the Edo woodblock printing demonstration, which will take place in both Haneda and Paris. Incidentally, the video at the top of this article was created through a collaboration between DENTO-HOUSE and Edo woodblock printing.

Edo woodblock printing is a Ukiyo-e style finished using techniques unchanged since the Edo period, employed by artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Tōshūsai Sharaku, and Utagawa Hiroshige. It is well-known that Ukiyo-e is currently receiving much attention, with exhibitions like "The Great Wave: Hokusai and the Japanese Print" at the Mori Art Museum in Ueno, Tokyo, and "Hokusai" at the Grand Palais in Paris held last year. Coinciding with this boom, Katsumi Asaba has proposed new Ukiyo-e prints inspired by Sharaku, and Masayoshi Nakajo by Hiroshige. These unique designs, suited to contemporary tastes, are art pieces that blend seamlessly into interior decor. Witnessing them being printed before your eyes is a must-see.

The "DENTO-HOUSE TOKYO -2015" exhibition currently underway at Haneda Airport International Terminal culminates this weekend. The Paulownia chests, displayed extensively and exclusively in Tokyo, are also a must-see. These were designed by Katsumi Asaba as an homage to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which celebrates its 400th anniversary. Furthermore, artisans who create Kasukabe Paulownia Chests are demonstrating their craft.

This exhibition, where you can directly experience a variety of works sublimated into modern forms, is not only an opportunity to be impressed by the excellence of inherited craftsmanship but also a valuable chance to consider how to connect these traditions to the future.

DENTO-HOUSE × Aizu Wax Candles

DENTO-HOUSE TOKYO -2015 Exhibition
Dates: January 9 (Fri) - January 13 (Tue)
Hours: 14:00 - 22:00 (Final day only 11:00 - 17:00)
Venue: Haneda Airport International Terminal, 5F Festival Plaza / 4F Edo Stage
2-6-5 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Demonstrations: January 9 (Fri), January 12 (Mon) 15:00 - 21:00
Drawer production by Kasukabe Paulownia Chest artisans
January 10 (Sat), January 11 (Sun) 15:00 - 21:00
Printing by Edo woodblock print artisans

DENTO-HOUSE PARIS -2015 Exhibition

Dates: February 6 (Fri) - February 13 (Fri)

Hours: 11:00 - 19:00

Venue: GALERIE DUTKO - ILE SAINT-LOUIS

4 rue de Bretonvilliers, 75004 Paris

http://www.dutko.com

Workshop: February 5 (Thu) 18:00 - 21:00, February 6 (Fri) 11:00 - 19:00

Edo woodblock print workshop

*Held during the reception party on Thursday, February 5th.

DENTO-HOUSE

http://dento-house.com