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Founder of Nemoto Glass Crafts.

Yukio

Nemoto

The memorandum

The beginning of a beloved national craft of Japan Edo-Kiriko, or Edo (old-day Tokyo) cut-glass takes us back two-centuries to the early 1800's. It is said that Kyubei Kagaya, who made a living processing glass products first introduced the term.

 

This fine technique of incising glass products is a prime example where "East meets West", as the importation of mechanical technologies from Europe not only contributed to productivity, but also empowered the expression of esthetical craftsmanship. Behind the fascination, lies the family of Nemoto Glass Crafts., whom protected the culture from wars and the many natural disasters during the 19th century. Continuing to create for over three generations, the family heritage is today an iconic brand that carry on the same tradition through classical and modern approaches. Here starts of the story of Yukio, in memory of his foundation of the Edo-Kiriko culture, finally to be known as "Contemporary Master Craftsman" of Japan. 

備忘録

Tokyo after the second world war

Passage

歩み

Born in 1936, Yukio Nemoto experienced the Tokyo air raid at the age of 8. At the age of 13, he began his career as a faceting craftsman under the tutelage of Tokuzo Tamura, a disciple of Kyubei Kagaya.

 

At the age of 23, he established Nemoto Glass Kogei, and became one of the few craftsmen who maintained the traditions of Edo during the Industrial Revolution.

"Eight masks" Color coated vase

Culture and innovation

During his career, Yukio was the first to introduce an electric powered sharpening machine in Japan, making renovating changes to the production system that once relied on unstable sources such as water and human for power. He has also contributed to the evolution and inheritance of Kiriko culture nationwide, spending years to research, recreate a lost culture of southern Japan - Satsuma Kiriko.

 

In 1996, Kiriko made by Yukio was presented to the summit meeting between Japan and South Korea, which played a role in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries. As one of Japan's leading artists and Kiriko craftsmen, Yukio received many awards including the prestigious Medal of Yellow Ribbon - the equivalence to human treasure, and continued to make Kiriko until his later years.

伝統と革新

Kiriko decanter and wine glass created by Yukio, for the international summit between Japan and South Korea

Expression

表現

As an artist, Yukio continued to pursue the beauty within. Drawing out the possibilities of colors and materials to the utmost limit through his experience as a master craftsman, he expresses the spirit and pride of Japan. Through thousands, if not tens of thousands of instinct-driven cuts, life is given to the crystal. His masterpiece "Melancholy" took three full years to complete, and appeals to viewers with details unattainable by ordinary trait of process, leaving his obsession as form of beauty.

Masterpiece - Melancholy

SIGNATURE

‐Melancholy‐

Colorless Vase

Born in Koto-ku, Tokyo on September 21

1936

Apprenticed at age 13 under Tokuzo Tamura

1949

Established Nemoto Glass Crafts.

1959

Selected for the Traditional Craft New Work Exhibition (17 times total) Selected for the Traditional Craft Exhibition (13 times total)

1980

Tokyo Branch Prize: Japan Craft Association Traditional Craft New Works Exhibition

1987

Selected for New Glass Review 9 by the Corning Museum of Art, recognized as a traditional craftsman by the Governor of Tokyo

1988

Mayor's prize: Edo Kiriko New Work Exhibition, and the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Prize at the Seven Traditional Crafts Exhibition.

1989

Grand prize: Special Design Prize of Edo Kiriko New Works Exhibition, solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi (four exhibitions in total)

1991

Grand prize and special design prize: Edo Kiriko New Works Exhibition, and the Governor of Tokyo Award at the Tokyo Traditional Craftsmen and Works Exhibition.

1996

Appointed examiner of the Seven Traditional Crafts

1997

Awarded the Director-General's Prize of the Agency for Cultural Affairs at the Exhibition of Seven Divisions of Traditional Crafts. Awarded the President's Prize of the Tokyo Cut Glass Industry Cooperative at the Exhibition of New Edo Kiriko Works

1998

Received the Yellow Ribbon Medal

2009

Profile

Yukio Nemoto

"A golden country of the far east"