ARCHIVED Tuning the Singing Bowl: Tradition and Innovation in Toyama Prefecture

Date
Friday 4 November 2022

Time
7.00pm

Venue
The Swedenborg Society
20-21 Bloomsbury Way (Hall entrance on Barter St)
London WC1A 2TH
[Map]

Booking Details
Free - Booking essential
Please note that spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.

The Japan Society is pleased to welcome Yoshinori Shimatani, a fourth-generation master blacksmith from Takaoka, Japan’s centre of forged copperware since the 17th century for a special talk and demonstration, organised in conjunction with Toyama prefecture. Yoshinori will introduce the history and contemporary production practices and discuss how he re-invented the family business of making singing bowls (keisu) and now uses the ancient techniques in the creation of suzugami decorated tin ware. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the sound of singing bowls, watch a demonstration of contemporary suzugami and learn more about the culture of Toyama prefecture in which they are rooted.

During the Edo period, iron and copper foundries flourished in Takaoka, supporting the manufacture of a whole range of metal products such as pots, kettles, vases and Buddhist altar accessories. In conjunction with this, keisu production started in the mid to late Edo period using advanced techniques such as damascening, forging and hammering. At its peak, nearly 30 keisu makers were active in Takaoka.

Keisu (small domestic singing bowls are known as orin) are made from brass plates in a hand hammering process using more than 100 types of hammers, anvils and pads. The last and the most important part of the process in keisu manufacture is the tuning. The sound tuning process relies solely on the intuition of the craftsperson as they hammer and tap the upper part of the bowl, listening to the sounds it creates, repeating the process until the desired undulating sounds are achieved. 

Shimatani Shoryu Kobo was founded in 1909 by Wakichi, who was raised in an artisan family that has been making keisu since the late Edo period. The company is devoted to the keisu craft, passing down the traditional techniques that were introduced with the arrival of Buddhism from one generation to the next exclusively through the family lineage. In addition, the production of contemporary pewter work under the syouryu brand, including a range of elegant household ware, has been developed in recent years by Yoshinori Shimatani in response to changing needs and markets. Yoshinori Shimatani is the fourth-generation of the Shoryu family. He joined the workshop in 1996 and was certified as a traditional craftsman of Takaoka copperware by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2009.

Guests are invited to join us after the talk for an informal reception and to sample sake and other delicacies from Toyama, courtesy of Toyama Prefecture Tourist Board.

For more events celebrating the crafts and tastes of Toyama, please visit Pantechnicon between 1 - 6 November: details on their website.

In association with:

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

Booking Info