Exhibition — Hiromi Kiriyama Solo Exhibition -企画展- 青竹工房 桐山 個展
This year, 2022, marks the eighth year since the current generation—the fifth—took over.
Until now, our shop has operated as a permanent store,
where visitors could always view baskets, trays, and winnowing baskets.
This spring, however, we have decided to hold our first-ever limited-time exhibition,
a new endeavor for our shop.
The first exhibition to mark this new step will open on March 17,
featuring a solo exhibition by Hiromi Kiriyama, a basket maker based in Taketa City, Ōita Prefecture.
Hiromi Kiriyama is a master craftsperson with more than thirty years of experience in bamboo work.
Specializing in aotake craft—work made from freshly cut, green bamboo—
he creates tools essential to everyday life, from equipment used in agriculture, forestry, and fishing
to household items.
His process begins with selecting materials by his own eye, harvesting naturally growing madake bamboo
and tsuzurafuji vines from the mountains.
From splitting the bamboo and preparing the strips to weaving the baskets, he carries out every step himself.
Facing each piece of bamboo one by one,
his work is guided by skills accumulated over three decades
and carried forward with constant focus and tension.
The baskets born from this process feel strong and beautiful, yet at the same time gentle.
They seem to become companions—objects that quietly support a person’s daily life and state of mind,
simply by being close at hand.
From the very first time we encountered his work,
we were captivated by the baskets, almost as if by love at first sight.
Since becoming the current generation, we have had a long relationship with Kiriyama,
introducing his works many times both in our shop and through our online store.
This time, however, we decided to hold an exhibition
that brings his works together in one place for the first time.
For us, it was something entirely new, and for our small shop,
it was truly a major decision.
Yet it feels that it was precisely because Kiriyama was involved
that we were able to take this new step forward.
This solo exhibition will present around seventy works in total, covering a wide range of types and sizes, including rice-washing strainers, cutlery holders, flower baskets, lunch baskets, shopping baskets, and handled baskets.
All works on display will be available for purchase.
For one-of-a-kind pieces that are already sold, we will be happy to accept orders.
Every work will remain on view until the final day of the exhibition, allowing visitors to experience this gathering of Kiriyama’s works all in one place.
This exhibition also offers a rare opportunity to speak directly with the maker, Hiromi Kiriyama,
and to watch a live demonstration of chopstick carving.
In addition to the finished works, we plan to display materials, tools, photographs,
and personal items connected to Kiriyama.
We hope you will take the time to visit and experience the exhibition in person.
// Information //
- Visits during the five days when Hiromi Kiriyama will be present
(March 17 [Thu]–March 21 [Mon, public holiday])
will be by reservation only.
There are still some time slots available,
so we kindly ask you to make a reservation before visiting, if possible.
(The reservation period has now ended.)
** An article featuring Hiromi Kiriyama,
written by craft writer Atsuko Tanaka,
was published on February 27 in Fujingahō Digital.
(The article is available in Japanese only.)
We invite you to take a look.
→ Article introducing Hiromi Kiriyama
*** Our shop was also introduced as the venue for this solo exhibition.
(The article is available in Japanese only.)
If you wish, please take a look at this article as well.
→ Article introducing 1basketry
Exhibition Title:
Hiromi Kiriyama Solo Exhibition
—from Rice-Washing Strainers to Basket Bags—
Dates:
March 17 (Thu)–March 27 (Sun), 2022
*Open every day during the exhibition period
Hours:
11:00 AM–4:00 PM