A Visit to Benjamin’s Workshop (2)—Germany Business Trip Journal 13 ベンジャミンさんの工房へ(2) ― ドイツ出張記 13
Hello. This is Tomotake Ichikawa.
I am staying at Benjamin’s home in Germany, where I have been receiving such thoughtful hospitality.
I was able to rest well in the guest room, and slept deeply through the night.
As I glanced at the table, I noticed a basket filled with walnuts.
This basket is a “walnut cracking basket” made by Benjamin’s father, Leon.
In fact, Benjamin had sent one to us last year,
and we introduced it in one of our exhibitions.
It was already a familiar basket to me,
yet this was the first time I had seen it being used in daily life.
A handle is attached to the basket, and a walnut is placed at its base.
By pressing the handle downward, the shell cracks open.
As someone who does not have the habit of cracking and eating walnuts,
seeing this basket used so naturally in everyday life felt quietly new to me.
There was, in fact, a large walnut tree in the garden, and many walnuts that had fallen from it were scattered across the ground. 
They gather them in a basket, bring them in, and keep them in the walnut cracking basket. For breakfast, they are mixed into yogurt, and when feeling a little hungry, they are cracked and eaten on the spot. 
The weather was very pleasant that day, so I stepped out into the garden. 
There, a cat—one I hadn’t seen the night before. 
It was “Moustache,” the family cat—named after the French word for a mustache. He was basking in the sun, and had a gentle, friendly nature. 
Then I saw Leon—perhaps on his way out somewhere. When I asked, he told me he was heading to a nearby river to go fishing,
something he looks forward to when he comes to this town.
I wished him well as he set off.
At Benjamin’s invitation, we set out on a walk, heading toward the nearby meadow and along the river. 
The plain stretched endlessly before us. 
I was told that willow, used as a material for basketry, grows here and there in this area. 
However, the winters in this region are quite harsh, and although Benjamin once tried, he told me that it is not well suited for growing willow for basketmaking. 
The water was so clear that, just by looking down from the bridge,
I could see many fish swimming below.
As the cold deepens in winter, I was told that this river can sometimes freeze over. 
As Benjamin and I are close in age, I felt at ease speaking with him.
As we walked, our conversation naturally expanded—to basketry, our work, family, and life in Germany and France.
Being able to share so many conversations like this was a truly happy time for me.
After returning from our walk, Benjamin invited me to see his workshop.
The first thing he showed me—spreading it out with a smile and saying, “Tomo, look at this!”—
was a large photographic poster.
This photograph was taken by Benjamin himself,
showing the very first piece we had ordered from him at Ichikawa Basketry.
I had heard that he used to work in photography in his previous career.
I personally have always been very fond of this image,
and I still remember clearly how I felt when I first saw it.
For him as well, it seems to be a special photograph—
one taken when the commissioned piece was completed.
He told me that he has recently been bringing it along to events.
Hearing this, I felt a quiet warmth in my chest.
Now, once again, I step inside the workshop. 
This is a tool basket used by Benjamin. He told me that it follows a traditional style once used by farmers in western France. 
Beside the entrance stood a tall wood-burning stove. I found its design quietly striking. 
A collection of wooden molds used to create various basket forms. 
A mold used to create rounded forms. 
Branches of hazel and other woods, used for the frames and structures of the baskets. 
Bundles of various kinds of willow, used as the main material in basketmaking, wait their turn. 
And many baskets and samples made by Benjamin himself, as well as by his grandfather. 
The large basket hanging in the upper left of the photograph seemed to follow the Dalhausen style. Come to think of it, Benjamin also has a connection with Hansgert in Dalhausen. 
Traces of many materials having been shaved and worked. 
A basket in the process of being made. 
Basketmaking tools and cleaning implements were neatly arranged.
This basket was made by Benjamin’s grandfather. In fact, Benjamin is the third generation of basketmakers in his family. While this piece has a slightly different character from Benjamin’s current work, the method—using hazel or chestnut for the frame and weaving with willow—remains unchanged. 
And Benjamin’s father, Leon, is the second generation of basketmakers. This is a hanging pinch basket made by Leon. 
All the baskets in this photograph were also made by Leon. Among them is the “walnut cracking basket” as well. 
Benjamin himself once worked in a different field, but now makes his living through basketmaking. With his sincere approach and warm personality, he has built connections with many makers across Europe. 
Not limited to the baskets made by his father and grandfather,
he continues to learn basketmaking techniques from various regions even today.
Benjamin also spoke of how he has been working closely alongside his father, Leon, in basketmaking. At times, they share with each other the techniques they have learned in different places.
The path of basketmaking across three generations in Benjamin’s family continues to this day.
In the photograph, the basket in the lower left was made by his grandfather,
those at the center bottom and in the back left by his father, Leon,
and the tall basket at the center is Benjamin’s own work.
At this point, Benjamin showed me how he works with hazel branches. 
Using a small knife, he makes a cut, then, watching the grain of the wood with both hands, splits the branch lengthwise. 
He splits it in two, and then divides each piece once more. 
This way, a single branch is divided into four pieces. 
From there, using a knife, he carefully shaves each split piece, continuing until it reaches the desired thickness. 
He shaves it again and again. 
Once the thickness is adjusted, he gently bends it over his thigh,
giving it a slight curve.
He repeats this again and again, working each piece from one end to the other. 
Then, he begins assembling the basket’s frame. 
Hazel branches are gathered in the forest, carefully selected, split into four, and then adjusted again and again until they reach just the right thickness. Only then are they ready to be used for weaving. Compared to methods where prepared willow is simply obtained and woven, this process requires far more time and effort.
Benjamin explained it to me in these words.
“The reason my baskets tend to be more expensive than others in Europe
lies in this process of preparing the materials.”
In Benjamin’s baskets, one can sense the care with which each piece is made.
They have a firm, durable finish,
with a presence that feels distinct from others.
As always, time spent in such moments passes all too quickly.
Before I knew it, it was nearly time for my return home.
With Leon at the workshop—though our time together was short, we quickly grew close. 
With Benjamin—I look forward to staying in touch.
With Benjamin and his father.
Someday, I hope to visit the town in France where Leon and Benjamin were born.
You can also watch a short video related to this journal.
[Music plays]
At the end of my journey, I boarded a high-speed ICE train from Berlin station,
heading toward Frankfurt Airport.
To catch the train departing a little after 4 a.m.,
Benjamin kindly arranged the reservation for me.
He even woke up at 2 a.m. to drive me to the station.
I can only feel a deep sense of gratitude for such kindness.
Benjamin, Leon, and your family,
thank you very much.
Benjamin, Léon et toute votre famille, merci du fond du cœur.
Benjamin, Leon und Ihrer Familie – vielen Dank von Herzen.
This marks the end of my journey in Germany,
but the “Germany Business Trip Journal” continues a little further.
I would be glad if you continue reading.
To be continued
*For more about Benjamin’s basketmaking and our first meeting,
please see the following journal entries.
An Encounter / Basket Maker Benjamin in Germany (Part 1)
Drawn to Hazel and Willow / Basket Maker Benjamin in Germany (Part 2)