Why is traditional Japanese craftsmanship attracting global attention now?
As the number of international visitors to Japan increases year by year, so does the number of people seeking "Japaneseness" by visiting traditional craft workshops and artisans.
Furthermore, within Japan, the value of "wanting to use truly good items for a long time" and "choosing items with a story and background" is gradually spreading.
This is not about choosing something because it is expensive, nor because it is cheap.
Who created it, with what intentions, and using what techniques?
More and more people are choosing items that include the background behind their creation.
Amidst this, traditional Japanese crafts are once again drawing attention.
Traditional Japanese Crafts: Not an Ancient Culture, but a "Living Culture"
When you hear "traditional crafts," what comes to mind?
Artworks displayed in museums.
Pieces showcased in glass cases.
Or luxury items used only on special occasions.
Many people may have such images.
However, originally, many traditional Japanese crafts have been passed down as tools for daily life.
Bowls used every day.
Sake cups for the dining table.
Chopsticks that fit comfortably in the hand.
Gifts to celebrate family milestones.
To possess not only beauty but also ease of use, and to fulfill a role in daily life. This is the value that Japanese craftsmanship has cherished.
This concept is also known as "beauty in utility (yō no bi)."
It is not that we use it because it is beautiful; rather, its beauty deepens through continuous use.
This philosophy has been passed down by Japanese artisans for hundreds of years.
A uniquely Japanese aesthetic where time creates value
In the world, there are things that are most beautiful at the moment they are first used.
On the other hand, in Japan, there is a concept that "value deepens with the accumulation of time."
For example, wooden furniture gains richer color and luster, while lacquerware changes its appearance with use. Leather products become more familiar to the hand and develop a unique character for each owner.
And silver is also one of the representative materials that embody this.
Silver gradually changes its expression along with the user's life. Through touch, use at the dining table, and the passage of years, small scratches and changes in luster become etched as a unique character belonging to that person.
This is not "deterioration" but a "testament to the accumulation of time."
The new state is not the finished product; rather, it approaches completion through continuous use.
Isn't such a value also part of the appeal of Japanese craftsmanship?
GINDENDO's Craftsmanship that Weaves People and Time
Based on a lineage of metalworking that began in 1611, GINDENDO creates tools and accessories using pure silver.
The goal is not merely to preserve the techniques passed down for over four hundred years. It is to create tools that continue to enrich people's lives and mark important milestones, even as times change. To achieve this, we continue to handcraft each piece using traditional techniques such as forging and engraving.
What GINDENDO values is the idea of
"Conveying thoughts to silver and enshrining them in the hall."
Birthdays.
Weddings.
Births.
There are moments in life that we never want to forget. GINDENDO's aim is to instill these feelings into silver, allowing them to be cherished through continuous use and passed down to the future.
Featured on CHOOSEBASE SHIBUYA's Official Media
GINDENDO was recently featured on the official media of CHOOSEBASE SHIBUYA, a next-generation select market operated by Seibu Shibuya Department Store.
The article covers:
- The allure of traditional Japanese craftsmanship
- The richness of growing with silver as a material
- The lineage of metalworking continuing since 1611
- Craftsmanship through forging
- GINDENDO's philosophy of "weaving people and time"
and more, based on interviews at the workshop.
The article meticulously summarizes GINDENDO's craftsmanship, along with photos of the production process and works.
It is an article we highly recommend not only to those interested in traditional Japanese crafts but also to those who wish to experience genuine craftsmanship.
Click here for the featured article:
[Review] Sharing objects and time. The quiet presence of "GINDENDO" that erases the noise of daily life.
Under the theme of "nurturing time," the article provides a detailed introduction to GINDENDO's craftsmanship and the appeal of pure silver.
https://choosebase.jp/blogs/articles/review_gindendo_0630
About CHOOSEBASE SHIBUYA
CHOOSEBASE SHIBUYA is a next-generation select market operated by Seibu Shibuya Department Store. It proposes a new shopping experience that integrates online and real-world elements, promoting the charm of diverse craftsmanship, including brands, creators, and traditional crafts from all over Japan.
GINDENDO products are also available there, allowing you to experience the unique texture of pure silver and the expression of handcrafted items firsthand.
Connecting Japanese Traditional Crafts to the Future
Traditional crafts are not just about preserving "things from the past."
Only when they are used, chosen, and loved in contemporary life can they truly be passed down to the next generation.
We believe that the continuous effort of artisans passing down their skills and customers continuing to use the tools fosters new traditions.
GINDENDO also continues its craftsmanship, connecting people and time through the material of silver.
We hope that this featured article will spark your interest in Japanese traditional crafts, the handiwork of artisans, and GINDENDO's craftsmanship.
We will continue to meticulously build upon each piece of work, connecting Japanese culture and technology to the future.
