Japanese Bamboo Art: A Tradition and a Legacy

Hayakawa Shokosai V

Attendees at the final Curator Circle event of 2004 had the privilege to meet Hayakawa Shokosai V, an artist recently designated "A Living National Treasure" by the Japanese government. This distinction was conferred on him to honor his unique skills in the traditional art of bamboo basketry. During this rare public appearance, Mr. Hayakawa spoke through an interpreter, but he had no difficulty communicating his great enthusiasm for his chosen career.

Bamboo has been an important part of Japanese life and culture for centuries. This giant woody grass, noted for its linear beauty and supple strength, is the material of choice for many functional as well as decorative articles used in daily life. Bamboo has been widely used to craft elegant vessels for the display of flowers and other natural materials. It also continues to be a prominent and integral element of the tea ceremony's setting and accoutrements.

The art of bamboo basketry in Japan was strongly influenced by the intricate weavings found in baskets of Chinese origin. Over time, local artisans mastered these styles and developed their own forms and techniques. Hayakawa described the important role that his family played in the evolution of bamboo basketry over the past one hundred fifty years. Each generation contributed in a unique way to the innovation and advancement of this art form in Japan.

Hayakawa began his formal training in bamboo basketry after finishing secondary school. Over the next fourteen years he learned, mainly by observation and imitation, the basic techniques and traditional weaving styles of his family. Finally, Hayakawa completed a set of baskets that met his father's exacting standards and was given permission to exhibit his work in public. His first show at Osaka's Mitsukoshi Department Store in 1965 sold out and launched his career.

Hayakawa's slides of his bamboo baskets illustrated the originality and exquisite workmanship for which he is known. His goal is to create new forms by working in greater harmony with the natural characteristics of bamboo. For that reason, he has focused on construction techniques that display the linear beauty of bamboo. In some works he has combined line construction with his family's plaiting techniques. Hayakawa is also experimenting with the incorporation of other materials like rattan, asymmetrical weaving, and the use of layers of contrasting colors to create depth. Bundling, knotting, and prominent patterns are also found in his recent baskets.

Although Hayakawa's work has been displayed extensively in his home country, it has only been shown in a few locations in the United States starting in 1999. His first solo exhibition outside Japan recently took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Denver art lovers will have the opportunity to see more of Hayakawa's beautiful and elegant baskets as the museum's collection now includes examples of his unique work.

Audience members were disappointed to learn that Hayakawa's son would not be continuing the family's artistic tradition. However, as a "Living National Treasure," Hayakawa has made a commitment to train apprentices so that this centuries-old art will not be lost. His work and that of his successors will continue to enrich our world for many years to come.

Return to top