Leading traditional industries in Kyoto | Interview with young female craftsmen [Vol.1]

Craftsmen who support Japanese traditional culture. Although the industry is suffering from a lack of successors, it is actually one of the businesses where young women can play an active role. Today, March 20th, the vernal equinox, is “Traditional Industry Day,” so we interviewed three artisans. Focus to not only their work, but also their off-duty scenes. We also spoke to a hairstylist who does hair and makeup.

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Provided by: NAKANO SEIYAKU CO.,LTD

NAKANO SEIYAKU, a hair cosmetics manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto, is celebrating its 65th anniversary.

Did you know that there is a hair cosmetics manufacturer called NAKANO SEIYAKU in Kyoto? In particular, those with a high sense of style may be familiar with the styling agent affectionately known as “Nakano Wax.”

NAKANO SEIYAKU is a hair cosmetics manufacturer that handles a famous Japanese wax called  Nakano Wax.  They are a long-established company headquartered in Kyoto, a globally popular city, and will celebrate our 65th anniversary on September 18, 2024. (*)

This time, We focuses on three young craftsmen who support the culture of Kyoto, who have a deep connection with NAKANO SEIYAKU! Combining the power of beauty, we will introduce you to the unknown charms of Kyoto’s traditional industries.

*Refer to ” NAKANO SEIYAKU Official Website “

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Fascinating Kyoto crafts created by female craftsmen

Although there are countless crafts in Kyoto , the current situation is that the people who create them are aging. Meanwhile, young female craftsmen who are passing on the culture through various opportunities are active.

In this article, We will introduce three female craftsmen: two Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsmen and one Mizuhiki craftsman! We realized truth taking this opportunity.

◼︎Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) artisans

　Marika Kato and Suzuno Takamoto

When I think of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, there are many ceramics with Japanese patterns, and I had the impression that they were mainly used for tea bowls and vessels used for making Matcha(Japanese green tea).

However, when I saw their work, that common sense completely collapsed. There are a variety of items that are brightly colored and imbued with a Western-style essence.

◼︎Mizuhiki craftsman

　Yoko Genda

When I thought of the second traditional craft, Mizuhiki, I had an image of the red, white, and gold colored objects wrapped around gift bags. I couldn’t imagine what else it would be used for, but they are making accessories!

Each piece is tied by hand, and you’ll be impressed by the nimble hands and how quickly the piece was completed.

A peek into the professional faces of female craftspeople

Many people may have seen traditional crafts themselves, but I think it is valuable to show how they are made. This time, we saw three craftsmen adding color to Kyoto ware and Kiyomizu ware, and tying Mizuhiki!

Let’s get a glimpse of work scenes that you don’t usually see.

1. Delicate and gentle flower reliefs on Kyoto ware and Kiyomizu ware | Marika Kato

Marika Kato, a Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki craftsman, won the 2019 “Future of Kyo-yaki Exhibition Encouragement Award.” It is currently being produced at a joint workshop in Kyoto.

Glaze is a glassy film that covers the surface of ceramics. By conducting research on his own, she creates works with new textures and colors that have never seen before.

Marika’s specialty is the “Itchin technique,” which involves filling a dropper with mud and squeezing it out. This is how the relief is actually drawn. There are almost no drafts, and I draw the flowers and grasses very smoothly.

She You can see that she using the pillow  on her lap. She smiled and explain stabilizes his wrist by placing a pillow on it, and he can’t work without it.

2. Unlimited possibilities for Mizuhiki｜Yoko Genda

Yoko Genda, a Mizuhiki craftsman. In addition to creating items at her family business, “Mizuhiki Moto Yugenda,” she also primarily creates Mizuhiki accessories under her own brand, “COYORIMI . “

Tie the Mizuhiki dexterously, and the ball knot is completed in just a few minutes. At last, a work of art that is hard to believe was made from a single piece of Mizuhiki.

In addition to spherical ball knots, they can also be made into circles or bow to create various accessories.

Mizuhiki come in a wide various colors, including red, gold, pink, and blue, and countless Mizuhiki were stored on the shelves containing the materials.

Yoko is a member of the Kyoto Traditional Industry Wakaba Association, a group of young craftsmen from Kyoto. She seems to be collaborating with craftsmen from other genres to ensure that traditional culture does not die out.

3. Kyoto ware and Kiyomizu ware artisans who overturn the common sense of “tea room” | Suzuno Takamoto

This glass is actually made from Kyoto ware and Kiyomizu ware. Although the pattern and color gave me a “Western” impression, this work is firmly rooted in “Japanese” culture.

Suzuno Takamoto is the creator of this wonderful work. Her atelier also serves as her home, and she usually works there. She has launched a brand called “Planpo” and is engaged in her own pottery making activities.

Similar to Marika’s work, she uses the Itchin technique of painting using mud as a base. She was carefully and speedily handling the mud coming out of a brown sauce dispenser-like container with practiced hands.

The style is more like a dot drawing than a line drawing, and I thought it would be an incredible amount of work, but as expected of a master craftsman.  also she completed a detailed design in just a few minutes.

She showed me some finished products, but the one that surprised me was the plate with the lace directly embedded in it! The shape and intonation of the waves vary depending on how the lace is attached, and no two laces are exactly the same.

I also learned a lot from the author’s attitude of preserving Japanese culture while incorporating elements from other countries.Incidentally, By the way, Suzuno is also a member of the “Kyoto Traditional Industries Wakaba Association” and works to continue protecting Kyoto’s industries.

Digging deeper into three young female craftsmen

Interviews with three craftsmen who let us peek into the work site this time! We will introduce real voices about advantage, worthwhile, and goals to work.

Q. What made you decide to take up this job?

Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

My parents were ceramic artists, so I always thought, “I want to make something when I grow up” The experience of winning a prize in a contest when I was an elementary school student also inspired me to pursue this as a profession!

Yoko Genda Mizuhiki craftsman

I thought successor the traditional Mizuhiki culture that my parents inherited. Mizuhiki is often used at weddings, but it was especially important that I felt a sense of crisis that the number of weddings would decrease and the tradition would be lost because of pandemic…!

Suzuno Takamoto Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

I have always loved drawing and creating things. When I was a child, I watched a TV program about craftsmen working at pottery in Kyoto, and I was moved. that’s why I decided to attend an art high school to pursue a career in ceramics.

Q. What was the most rewarding or pleased experience?

Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

Pottery is a work that is closely related to daily life, so we are happy to receive feedback from customers who have used it! Particularly at exhibition halls, where I can meet customers,and I can discover something new.

Yoko Genda Mizuhiki craftsman

I feel a sense of accomplishment when I am able to create a new design that has never been seen before, or when I am able to create something difficult and time-consuming. One of the most rewarding things about selling at events is being able to hear directly from customers!

Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

I often receive messages from customers saying things like, “I use it at night after spending a hard day, in the morning of an important day, or when I want to relax of the day,” which shows that my work is connected to their lives. I’m very happy. I am not only happy but also surprised when I see people using my work in various scenes that I had never imagined, and when I see the appeal of my work being demonstrated.

Q. Do you have any dreams for the future?

Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki (Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

I want to create a gallery space at home within the next two years! hopefully, I would like to build it in Kyoto , where it is a comfortable place !

Yoko Genda Mizuhiki craftsman

In addition to its original use of wrapping it around boxes and gift bags, I would like to spread the word about new ways to use Mizuhiki, such as using accessories as hooks, for young people! !

Suzuno Takamoto Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman

I like coffee, so I would like to open a coffee shop where people can display the cups I made and choose the one they like. Also, recently I’ve been making pots for tea time, so I’m thinking of making an afternoon tea set!

Enhance your charm at Kyoto’s popular beauty salon “Befine”

“Befine” has stores in Tanbabashi, Sanjo Kawaramachi, Shijo Kawaramachi, and Shijo Karasuma. At a popular beauty salon in Kyoto , three female craftsmen got hair done for shooting. Let’s take a look at this beautiful finish!

<Stylist> Misaki Takahashi x <Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman> Marika Kato

Stylist Misaki Takahashi styled Marika! Misaki has only been working as a hairdresser for eight years, she is a talented hairstylist who has won numerous awards.

Awards and honors

• JHCA Hair Color Contest Keiji Tournament 3rd place ’18 ’19
• Santo Cup Designers Contest U29 Division Grand Prix ’19
• Santo Cup Designers Contest Finals Journal Award ’20
• KHA Photo Contest Rising Star Award ’22

Many other awards

This time, she curled hair  with a curling tongsl without cutting it. The curls take advantage of her hair type, keeping Marika’s mature vibe intact, but adding a little girly element to match the vibe of her outfit.

This time, We shooting on a street in Kyoto, right next to the beauty salon.

You can see a different side to the simple craftsman’s appearance, giving it a gorgeous impression. Marika’s gentle personality stands out in the photo, with an atmosphere that matches well with the streets of Kyoto!

<Stylist/Deputy Manager> Hiroya Hishida x <Mizuhiki Craftsman> Yoko Genda

Yoko, a Mizuhiki craftsman, was styled by Hiroya Hishida, stylist and deputy manager of “Shijo Karasuma / Befine e-ha AVEDA”!

Awards and honors

• Santo Cup U-29 Designers Division Runner-up ’19
• WELLA TREND VISION COLOR AWARD Runner-up ’21
• Santo Cup Designers Contest Finals Journal Award ’23
• AVEDA Photo Contest Grand Prix ’23

Many other awards

Mr. Genda brought along a Mizuhiki hair ornament that she had made herself! The stylist, Mr. Hishida, had never handled Mizuhiki accessories before, and seemed excited to try them out for the first time.

A photo that highlights the charm of Mizuhiki accessories and Yoko’s smile. Although we were shooting under cloudy skies, the scene was bright from beginning to end!

The shooting location was near the Kamogawa River, one of Kyoto’s famous spots. The retro streetscape and costumes combine to create a photo that retains a distinctly Kyoto-ish. Moreover, the cuteness of the modern-style Mizuhiki accessories.

<Creative director> Toyokazu Fujiki x <Marika Kato Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki(Kyoto ware/Kiyomizu ware) craftsman> Suzuno Takamoto

Suzuno, a Kyoto-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki craftsman, was styled by Toyokazu Fujiki, director of all Befine stores!

Awards and honors

• Milbon DA Inspire Live Asia Finalist ’19
• Santo Cup Designers Contest Finals Grand Prix & Journal Award ’20
• JAPAN hair dressing award finalist ’22
• Milbon DA PRO Kansai Area Grand Prix/Semi-Grand Prix ’22’23

Many other awards

Suzuno likes  bob haircut. This time Toyokazu trimher hair and finish that took advantage of her shiny hair.

The photo was taken after sunset, so it seems seductive. If you want tocreates a mature style,try curl outward.

Toyokazu is a hairdresser and also works as a creative director. The shooting progressed naturally and had a lively atmosphere.

Interview with “craftsmen” in the beauty industry

Hairdressers are also craftsmen in the beauty industry. This time, we interviewed the hairdresser too.

Q. What made you want to become a hairdresser?

Hiroya Hishida Stylist/Deputy Manager

I used going to barbershops when I was young, but one day I tried asymmetrical style in beauty salon. It was amazing and all of sudden interested in making myself look cool! This feeling led me to aim to become a hairdresser.

Misaki Takahashi stylist

When I was a high school student, I made serious efforts for basketball! However, my parents’ practices beauty salon, and I supported their business. so I could imagine ​​what the job entailed and how rewarding it was!

Toyokazu Fujiki creative director

I love clothes, so I had two choices: a sales associate or a hairdresser. but I felt attached to beauty salon due to I knew nice a hair dresser 

Q. What was the most rewarding or pleased experience?

Hiroya Hishida Stylist/Deputy Manager

In the first year, I couldn’t do anything, but when I became a stylist, I was happy when my customers recognized that i improved. I was originally clumsy, but since joining Befine, I can feel that my level has improved. Particularly rewarding was when a customer introduced me to their family.

Misaki Takahashi stylist

Even in the customer service industry, hairdressers spend a lot of time interacting with customers. We often talk about personal things, and I’m happy to watch they  become beautiful day by day! It’s rewarding to be able to be with them at milestone times such as weddings and coming of age days!

Toyokazu Fujiki creative director

Being a hairdresser is rewarding in itself. If I can make customers and colleagues happy, I feel satisfying.

Q. Do you have any dreams for the future?

Hiroya Hishida Stylist/Deputy Manager

I want to be famous as a hairdresser! Our goal this year is to get an industry magazine to talk to us.

Misaki Takahashi stylist

I want people to think of Takahashi as a hairdresser in Kyoto ! I also believe that there are certain colors that men can’t create, so I want to advance female hairdressers in this industry!

Toyokazu Fujiki creative director

I want to become an all-round hairdresser. It’s not hairdresser who specializes in something, someone who can be asked anything.Furthermore, I want to be a person who is trusted by customers and colleagues.