Work style & Design

There is no fixed shape or shape for the wooden bag made with the original method.

Instead of dealing with wood as a mere material, he considers it his lifework to create designs that match the individuality of the wood without wasting it, and to preserve the life of the tree for as long as it has lived.

"Keep a style of work that does not make the same thing, and does not unify the design with handwork"

Engraving

Engraving as a method of design expression is a free and delicate world like painting.

Inspiration born from dialogue with the material, and conversely, the design that I want to express in sculpture is drawn on the material.

When approaching the finishing touches of the process, the carving on the bottom, which is drawn while looking at the whole, is full of Kamei-esque expressions.

The carving on the bottom, which was originally intended to prevent slippage and reduce weight, is now used as part of the overall design, or as a spice that gives a different impression than the main body. is.

Form, serial number, signature

The hand-carved and finished form has a beautiful three-dimensional appearance and a weight that emphasizes practicality.

The shape has been created with attention to detail, such as the interior that has been polished while leaving carving marks, the thickness of the handle that fits comfortably in the hand, and the smoothness of the handle.

The inside of the main unit is engraved with a serial number that has been around since the company was founded, and the signature of the creator, Kamei.

Closure

The closure of the wooden bag was developed after several years of trial and error by the creator. It is easy to open and close, is easy to use, and is made of hardwood that can withstand wear and tear. 

Various techniques and methods such as those that make use of the texture of the branches themselves, those that have been finely carved, mother-of-pearl, and lacquer techniques are used to express the points of the bag as a whole.

Lacquering

In order to make the wood grain and carvings shine, we use mainly dyes, traditional Japanese persimmon tannin, bengara, and gofun, etc., to color and fix the wood, and then finish it by lacquering it with urushi lacquer and other techniques. By adding something new to the traditional techniques, we enjoy exploring various expressions and completely different impressions. Sometimes, we draw freehand on the body of the piece as if it were a painting. All of them are finished with lacquer or coating agents, so you can use them without worrying about color fading or rain staining.

Growing a tree into a wooden bag

By handling with a carving knife, we bring out the hidden expressions of the wood, and we rejoice in the encounter between the colors and the wood that we could not wear in our natural life.

"Raise" rather than "make"

That is the work of Yuuki Kamei, Kinokaban, the wooden bag.