The spirit of traditional Japanese crafts

The Craft Tradition Of Japan

Traditional Japanese crafts advocate the “beauty of other forces”, which is closely linked to the naturalistic traditional aesthetic of Japan’s “mono no aware”. “Wabi-Sabi” is an important and unique aesthetic value in Japan, which has a profound impact on the value orientation of Japanese crafts. Traditional Japanese crafts are small and frugal, and “healthy beauty” is a manifestation of “Wabi-Sabi”.

In traditional Japanese society, craftsmen have distinct characteristics in their pursuit of professional character: first, they are extremely demanding of their own craftsmanship, and their goal is to achieve a level of self-confidence and pride. Many craftsman families have started training their heirs since their children were three or four years old. They pursue becoming famous craftsmen throughout their lives and pursue their skills persistently; second, they do not value money, live freely and unconstrainedly; third, they pursue generosity, pay attention to responding to requests, and even do not hesitate to gain reputation to help others share their worries.

Japan’s Apprenticeship System And Craftsman Circle

In traditional Japanese society, craftsmen’s children often inherit their father’s business and receive relevant training from an early age. The apprenticeship system and the artisan circle have built a society of artisans, which has a significant impact on the professional character of artisans. Artisans have a relatively low social status, and they need to communicate and help each other. Mutual support within the industry, maintaining the reputation of the industry, and resisting vicious bidding are basic industry rules. The apprenticeship system is the key to maintaining the artisan industry. Craftsmen attach great importance to the status of master and apprentice. Caring for tools and abiding by industry rules are basic behavioral norms.

Craftsmen regard their profession as a lifelong career. The skills are passed down from generation to generation by masters. They are responsible for the products. In extreme cases, they even have to guarantee the quality of the products with their lives. The courage to take responsibility and devote themselves to creation constitute the cornerstone of the Japanese craft spirit. The emotional foundation of its professionalism is mainly loyalty and awe, which is connected with the spirit of Bushido.

Japan’s Protection Of Traditional Crafts

Since the Meiji Restoration, Japan has abandoned the policy of isolation and achieved modernization in just 30 years. In terms of social class structure, material and spiritual culture, it has relatively completely inherited and protected traditions.

The stable social structure allows Japan’s handicraft industry and its professional spirit to have sufficient time to accumulate and spread. The accumulation and transmission of handicraft knowledge and experience, as well as the beliefs, disciplines, and rituals in the craft spirit, all require a long period of inheritance. Japan’s modernization transformation was smooth, preserving the craft spirit. When the economy developed rapidly, the traditional craft spirit shifted to emerging industries.

Japan attaches great importance to protecting traditional crafts and craft spirits. The most representative is the “Living National Treasure” certification system. In 1950, Japan promulgated the “Cultural Property Protection Law” and identified “important intangible cultural property holders”, that is, “Living National Treasures”. These people will receive subsidies, enjoy special treatment, and have a high social status.

Japanese Incense Burners And Their Cast Iron Crafts

Japanese incense burners occupy an important position in traditional crafts, and are a combination of practical objects and artistic treasures. Among them, cast iron incense burners are famous for their unique charm.

The Historical Origins Of Cast Iron Incense Burners

The development of Japanese cast iron incense burners was influenced by Chinese incense burner culture and integrated with local characteristics. In the early days, incense burners were mainly used for religious ceremonies. As time went by, they gradually entered the daily life of aristocrats and wealthy families, becoming an important tool for interior decoration and incense burning. In the development of Japanese tea ceremony and incense culture, cast iron incense burners have become more and more valued because of their simple and heavy texture, which complements the pursuit of natural and quiet atmosphere.

Cast Iron Craft Features

• Material selection: Japanese cast iron incense burners are made of high-quality iron ore, which is carefully smelted to ensure the purity and texture of iron. High-quality cast iron materials give the incense burners a sturdy and durable characteristic, and also lay the foundation for later casting and decoration processes.
• Casting techniques: Traditional lost wax method or sand casting method is adopted. The lost wax method can cast extremely fine patterns. The craftsman first makes a wax mold, and carves delicate patterns on the wax mold, such as flowers and birds, dragons and phoenixes, geometric patterns, etc., and then wraps the wax mold with refractory materials, heats the wax to melt and flow out, forming a casting cavity, and then pours molten iron into it to form it. The sand casting method uses sand molds to complete the shape of the incense burner through processes such as compacting the sand mold and making the core.
• Decoration technology: The decoration of cast iron incense burners is rich and varied. Carving is a common technique. Craftsmen use chisels, carvings, chisels and other tools to carve lifelike patterns on the surface of the furnace, with smooth lines and rich layers. Some incense burners are also decorated with inlaid gold and silver, and gold and silver wires are embedded in the surface of cast iron to form gorgeous patterns, increasing the artistic value of the incense burner. In addition, the surface treatment process is also critical. Through grinding, polishing, fumigation and other methods, the incense burner presents a simple color and texture.

Artistic Style And Cultural Connotation

The Japanese cast iron incense burner has a unique artistic style, which combines naturalism and simple aesthetics. Its shape often draws on elements from nature, such as bamboo joints as the furnace body and lotus leaves as the furnace cover, reflecting the admiration for nature and the pursuit of the aesthetics of “mono no aware”. In terms of cultural connotation, the incense burner is not only an incense burning utensil, but also carries Japan’s traditional etiquette culture, religious beliefs and artistic aesthetics. It is a vivid embodiment of the spirit of traditional Japanese craftsmanship in utensils.