Partners Information: Get up-close and personal with Japanese traditional crafts that have been passed down from the Edo period (1603-1868)!
The Koto City Traditional Crafts Exhibition will soon be held in Tokyo. The event allows visitors to see how traditional crafts are created, participate in hands-on workshops, and purchase genuine works from professional crafters at various booths.
The main theme for this year is Sarasa. Sarasa is a type of stencil printing which uses multiple paper stencils to dye cloth. The overlapping dyes create intricate patterns with myriad colours, and often feature exotic designs of plants and flowers.
Between November 2nd and 4th, visitors can try their hands at dyeing their own version of an art piece known as “Kanbarajuku” by renowned ukiyo-e painter, Utagawa Hiroshige.
Other demonstrations include amezaiku, the art of crafting animals out of candy, which can be observed daily and katana (sword) whetting on November 1st and 4th. These are all highly specialised demonstrations that would usually require visiting a craftperson’s studio to observe.
Don’t miss this chance to see these amazing skills, and talk to the craftspeople!
Held at the Fukagawa Edo Museum, you can explore a life-sized replica of an Edo period town to learn more about day-to-day living during this fascinating time. Guided tours by English-speaking volunteer guides are available (schedules vary) to help explain what life was like back then, and to answer questions.
We hope you’ll enjoy the museum alongside the exhibit, and take advantage of this opportunity to experience Japan’s culture and history!
Dates
Thursday, November 1st – Sunday, November 4th, 2018
Time
9:30 – 17:00 (November 1 – 3), 9:30 – 16:00 (November 4)
Hands-on Workshop Hours: 10:00 ~ 12:00 (1st session), 13:00 ~ 15:00 (2nd session)
Place
Fukagawa Edo Museum Recreation Hall (basement floor)
1-3-28 Shirakawa, Koto City, Tokyo
3 minute walk from Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Toei Oedo Line)
Entry fees
The exhibit itself is free of charge (however, participating in crafting sessions/workshops may have costs attached). Entrance to Fukagawa Edo Museum is 400 yen for adults and 50 yen for children (middle school students and under).
*Those below middle school age must be accompanied by an adult.
