Yusuke Shibata opened ``HULS GALLERY TOKYO'' in Akasaka, Tokyo in 2019, a gallery that introduces Japanese crafts both domestically and internationally. He plans and produces Japanese crafts by connecting Japanese manufacturers and craft artists who are actively expanding overseas with the world from both a creative and business perspective. Shibata's activities create new connections between people and elevate them to even more appealing crafts.

Written by Yusuke Shibata

``Relationships'' are mysterious things; some are created by oneself, while others seem to suddenly fall from the sky. Sometimes it feels like fate at the time, and other times it only comes to mind after some time has passed. In this Premium Salon, I would like to introduce my own craft-related activities and connect with the wonderful people I have met through my business.

Based in Singapore and Tokyo, my job is to convey crafts from all over Japan both domestically and internationally. We opened ``HULS GALLERY'' in Singapore in 2017 and in Akasaka, Tokyo in 2019, and not only sell crafts to the general public, but also plan and curate exhibitions and sell wholesale to fine dining customers. I am doing it. He also plans and operates an online craft media called "KOGEI STANDARD," where he visits production areas himself and continues to disseminate information about crafts bilingually in Japanese and English. Rather than simply purchasing and selling items, we will bring the appeal of Japanese crafts to new forms by considering the systems necessary for the craft industry as a whole and incorporating our own aesthetic sense into design, photography, and written expression. I am trying to convey the message to you.

All of the works we handle are made in Japan, and are crafts born from each region. When you hear the word Japanese crafts, many people think of handmade ceramics or hand-woven bamboo works, but for me, more than the charm of handicrafts, it is the culture of each region that can be learned through crafts. There's something about the culture and culture that really draws me to it.

You will notice that even though the same ceramics are produced, the local climate and the individuality of the people living there are strongly reflected in each craft, such as Arita, Bizen, Tokoname, and Kutani. There are crafts from the sea in the sea and from mountains in the mountains, and the scenery and aesthetic sense of each region of production have long been embedded in the colors, shapes, and materials. Japan is perhaps the only country in the world that has such a wide variety of crafts in one island nation. I have always been deeply fascinated by the depth of Japanese crafts.

Crafts reflect not only the charm of a region but also the individuality of its people. The gallery carries the works of over 50 craft makers and craft artists, all of whom have great ambitions to spread crafts overseas. Although each person has different sensibilities and sensations, they have a wide variety of personalities and are not uniform. It is often said that craftsmen are quiet and difficult, but that is not the case. They have an indescribable passion, and the passion of these creators resonates in this era when careful handiwork is being lost. It's fascinating.

Many crafts are made for everyday use. Lacquerware and overglazed porcelain with decorations such as maki-e and chinkin are sometimes available only once a year, but many become even more flavorful as they are used daily. It is said that Hagiyaki pottery and pottery called Konobiki grow as you use them, and the more time you spend on them, the more you enjoy them.

We also sell utensils for chefs in Tokyo and Singapore. Particularly in Singapore, they sell a wide range of crafts, from ceramics to lacquerware and glass, to fine dining restaurants that have few seats and mainly offer omakase courses. It's a little different from what I use on a daily basis, but I feel a special joy when I see a chef's beautiful dishes served on a plate. When I see customers enjoying the food while eating it, I also feel deeply moved by the fact that the people who made it seem to be enjoying it as well.

Japanese crafts have a long history and have been connected through the ages, but their spread across the ocean has been limited. Dyed vessels from Arita, teapots covered with algae from Tokoname, soup bowls made from wood turned in the mountains, and cut glass sake cups from Tokyo. I believe that each and every carefully crafted craft is something that should spread horizontally in this day and age. Once you cross the ocean, there is another road ahead and an encounter. Although I am not a maker myself, my job is to connect people and create new connections through crafts. Sometimes an encounter with just one vessel becomes something special. That is our wish, and it is our daily driving force.

→2. Behind the lens, photographer Takuma Suda's life's work

HULS GALLERY TOKYO

2nd floor, Akasaka ZEN Building, 6-4-10 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

10:00 – 18:00

Regular holiday: Sundays and public holidays

03-6280-8387