Akio Takai Engraver of paper pattern for Edo-komon

May 21, 2018

Yesterday, 21 May 2018, I went to SAWANOI MUSEUM OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE HAIR ORNAMENT, Ome , Tokyo, where Akio Takai, engraver of paper pattern for Edo-komon, showed his engraving the traditional pattern for Japanese Kimono clothing lasting from Edo period some 400 years ago. Edo-komon patterns  has been developed at Edo, the former capital of Japan now named Tokyo.
Takai was born at Mie Prefecture in 1950 and his father was also the engraver of Edo-komon which has some 1500 traditional patterns for Kimono clothing between Edo period and Now.

Kimono designed by Edo-komon have sold mainly at Edo but engraving of patterns were perfectly made at Mie where special craftsmen gathered for accepting  the graving work from Edo, Kyoto and all over Japan. 

Takai's father was learnt the graving patters for Traditional Nishijin brocade made at Kyoto and became the Maestro of graver at Mie.

Akio Takai has inherited the father's spirit from his young age and also became the graver. 

Edo-komon's patterns are engraved by the sharp knives and drills on the Traditional Japanese papers coating variously by persimmon tannin. 

This precise tradition of graving was now on the verge of a crisis for the development on the mass productive modern print. 

Edo-komon is a really minute pattern that is engraved using slender cut knives and drills.  The most important thing is the sure and competent eyes for distinguish the derailed lines for engraving.

Now special engravers at Mie were only 20 moreover all aged over 78 years old. So Akio Takai decided this craft's succession for the future especially for younger generation.

The exhibition of Edo-komon and demonstration of engraving are holding till 24 June 2018.

For more details, please refer to the next.

SAWANOI MUSEUM OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE HAIR ORNAMENT

Phone: 0428-77-7052

URL: http://tokyo@sawanoi-sake.com