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Energy from within
DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM “KI”, EACH PIECE REQUIRES MONTHS OF WORK
Above, clockwise: Fujinuma evens out the stitches with an iron stick; his masterpiece basket Spring Tide, on the theme of “Ki”; taking advantage of the natural structure of the bamboo stem, Fujinuma makes cylindrical vases that he paints with colour Urushi.
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a long time. He served as an apprentice with the respected bamboo basket maker Yagisawa Keizo, who was known as the foster parent for bamboo crafts of Otawara. Fujinuma learned a wide range of basic techniques in a year and half: the selection and preparation of bamboo and how to split, braid and lacquer-wipe finish it. Fujinuma added his unique twist to the traditional technique. In his original works, he expresses skilfully the texture of bamboo, such as in the sophisticated and delicate bundle knitting and wickerwork. Each of his works takes 3 to 6 months or more to weave. The central theme of his work is “Ki”, a Japanese term that expresses the energy that comes from within.
“Ki becomes the form of one’s art. Ki should be always flowing. When we loose Ki, we won’t make anything. The whole universe is alive with this energy. Ki is a wave of force that we can feel,” explains Fujinuma. “When I am making my work, concentration is very important. In order to keep the flow of Ki, I play tennis to get rid of the old energy and create new one. I feel that all my works are like my children, I like to be in solitude when I create. My job is to draw the Ki from the bamboo, interpret it and present it to viewers through the finished form.” Fujinuma’s inspiration comes like “seven dwarfs descending from the heavens”: a Japanese idiom that means that the creative process is not born inside him but that he is “motivated by the energy of the universe,” as he explains. “My own hands move freely and naturally until my work is completed. I always make new designs, something no one else has created before. At the same time, it is important to use at least one of the traditional techniques. Craftsmen make without creativity, whereas artists use a combination of technique, creativity, design and presentation.” Fujinuma personally selects the bamboo he uses from his hometown in Tochigi Prefecture. “It is not necessary to go against the natural form of bamboo. On the contrary, it is vital to take in the beauty of nature, which is great as it is. I am always learning from the natural world.” In addition, Fujinuma studies the meaning of the Japanese words that express these concepts. Because the correct interpretation of the words provides an important insight in traditional art crafts as well as in the culture of Japan. “Kogei”, for example, is translated as “craft” but its meaning is more complex: to make a skilled work that has both aesthetic value and utility. “The original meaning of the Chinese character is ‘people connecting the heavens and the earth’,” says Fujinuma. He is also committed to passing his knowledge through training, and he is planning to teach at Oita Prefectural Bamboo Crafts and Training Support Center in the future. “Each country has its own individual heritage, and it is important that it is preserved and expressed. The culture of Japan can be experienced and understood through bamboo art. When I first came to Europe, 40 years ago, I was still a photographer and I did not perceive things in this way. Today, I can see how my works, which represent Japanese traditional art crafts, have been warmly welcomed here and I would like to thank Europe for the appreciation of Japanese culture. In the future, I would like to show more of my work throughout Europe.” In hearing Fujinuma’s reply, I could feel the beat of the earth of Japan, the bright and cheerful “Ki” of a great artist and man.
10/03/14 19:57