touch GRIP 05 / Shoryu Hatoba, Yoho Hatoba
Shoryu Hatoba, Yoho Hatoba
Japanese traditional "family crest" painting artisans (Monshou Uwaeshi) Shoryu Hatoba and Yohji Hatoba presented a new artwork featuring the smallest grippers developed by ARAKAWA GRIP. The installation consists of 2,081 spheres made of Japanese red cedar of Yakushima that are suspended using 615 wires. The unusual silhouette of the art piece, which gives the impression of floating in the air, resembles a plum blossom when viewed from the front and a cherry blossom from a 90-degree angle.
Kyogen
While utilizing his expertise as a Monsho-uwaeshi, an artisan who hand-paints Kamon on kimono, Shoryuʼs long-standing passion for expressing Kamon in a new light was finally fulfilled in 2007 when he began the production of Kamon artworks. His distinctive technique of “MON-MANDALA®” is filled with the unique perspectives earned as a Monsho-uwaeshi. As an artisan as well as a designer, the subjects of his art is everything in the universe, which enables him to continuously expand his field beyond conventional Kamon and logo designing. He is also actively involved in the “Mon” section within the NHK Educational TV program, “Design Ah!”
Kyogen
Upon the establishment of the studio, “Kyogen”, Yoho develops a diverse business model where Kamon and digital technologies are integrated. He spent his childhood always surrounded by a variety of Kamon, a veritable treasure trove of design influence. At age eight, he started learning calligraphy and acquired a sense of balance, which eventually brought him to delve into the world of simple, minimalist designs. Along with his father, Shoryu, he plays an active role in conveying the charm of Kamon through workshops and lectures targeting different generations and people abroad who are not familiar with the concept.