I sit down with Steve Beimel, the visionary behind JapanCraft21, a non-profit organization committed to revitalizing dentou kougei, traditional Japanese master crafts. Steve is also the founder of Espirit Travel and Tours, a company that offers immersive cultural experiences in Japan. He is the publisher of the Kyoto Diary and serves as the editor-in-chief of livingartsjapan.com, a platform dedicated to promoting Japanese arts and crafts. In all, Steve is a passionate advocate for preserving traditional Japanese master crafts.
During this episode, we delve into the rich history of Japanese artisanry and the influence of Soetsu Yanagi, a prominent figure in the Japanese crafts movement. We discuss the importance of aesthetics and standards that define these traditional crafts, as well as Kyoto's transformation over the years from a world-class city to a mish-mash of incoherent buildings. We dive into the initiatives spearheaded by JapanCraft21, including the Japan Traditional Craft Revitalization Contest, which recognizes exceptional artisans and promotes their work on a global scale. Steve also shares insights about the co-founding of the School of Traditional Building Arts (Shin-Machiya Juku) in Kyoto, a pioneering institution aimed at teaching rapidly disappearing building skills to a new generation of young working tradespeople.
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Links to Resources:
#40 JapanCraft21 and the Revitalization of Artisan Master Crafts