12 Best Japanese Bamboo Artists You Should Know

by Jes Kalled & Anna Jamieson | ART

© Yamaguchi Ryuun, Vortex, 2017 — © Yamaguchi Ryuun, Vortex, 2017

Japanese bamboo art, too often overlooked, uses a wonderfully malleable and versatile material to give rise to all sorts of fantastic creations. Taking its inspiration from the ancient art of bamboo weaving, it’s not just about the creation of functional items such as mats or baskets. Rather, contemporary bamboo artists and craftspeople create a range of surprising and mesmerizing artworks, from delicate sculptures to beautiful, dynamic pieces. Read on for our pick of 12 of the most exceptional Japanese bamboo artworks — you’ll be amazed at the diversity.

1. Tanaka Kyokusho

The elegant designs of Tanaka Kyokusho feature warm colors of gold and brown, with stark black outlines that provide a deep contrast of color and emotion. Kyokusho pays close attention to the use of color, specifically how black accents partner with other shades and create negative space. Using pigments like turmeric, gardenia, and safflower, Kyokusho strives to get in touch with ancient Japanese bamboo art practices of the craftsmen from earlier times. Kyokusho likens his body of work to the sounds of the Shamisen, a Japanese string instrument. He says, “The sounds of the Shamisen gradually disappear and create a pause in the music, but this pause, without any sounds, is part of the composition in music.”

2. Hayakawa Shokusai

A unique and masterful basket worker of the 19th century, Hayakawa Shokusai is known for his weaving techniques. Unlike other weavers in Japan at that time, Shokusai implemented twisting into his practice. Shokusai was also the first Japanese basket creator to actually sign his work. Perhaps most significantly, the Shokusai family extended their bamboo artistry for several generations, carrying the tradition through time and inspiring and influencing many other artists to practice and continue the careful art of bamboo making.

3. Wada Waichisai I

Some talents are born into the family. This was the case for bamboo basket weaver, Wada Waichisai I of the Edo period. Wada’s father was a functional basket maker who sold various baskets at his shop. Encouraged by his family’s craft, and inspired by the likes of Hayakawa Shokusai, Wada began a career of bamboo artistry in the mid to late 1800’s, when bamboo was just beginning to be recognized as an art form in Japan. Wada was known for his skill and bunjin style of basket making, which was deemed ornamental. Although at times utilitarian, Wada was also known for departing into an open weaving style as with this flower basket that is both artistic and simple; a reflection of his attention to Japanese aesthetics.

4. Yamaguchi Ryuun

Apprentice to one of the most esteemed bamboo artists, Shono Shounsai, Yamaguchi Ryuun, followed in his master’s footsteps. Shounsai is known as one of the first artists to remove functionality from the process of bamboo artistry. Implementing Shounsai’s techniques, and improvising with his own, Yamaguchi explored new shapes and structures in bamboo sculpture. “Bamboo is beautiful,” he says, “I listen to it. It says many things to me. I enjoy my conversations with it.” His pieces appear to move, or, have the desire to move, as if they are living, breathing, conversational things.

5. Honda Syoryu

Japanese bamboo artist, Honda Syoryu, grew up in a bamboo production environment in Kagoshima. Although his family’s work was entirely functional, Honda was inspired to branch out and seek artistic and creative methods in the field. Despite experiencing some success in the beginning of his career, Honda was met with financial difficulty after Japan’s economic bubble burst in the late 80’s. The artist was not immediately appreciated by judges in competitions, but was continuously commissioned and sponsored by Robert Coffland of TAI Gallery. Throughout this transition of experiencing repeated rejection, Honda’s work developed and his artistry grew. This recent piece titled, “Floating Wheels,” is abstract and expressive, just one example of several of his imaginative, original works born out of hard work and a trying time.

6. Noboru Fujinuma

© Tishu Gallery in Incollect, — © Tishu Gallery in Incollect,

“What is art?” Noboru Fujinuma asks himself. “What is the criteria for art?” In 2012, the artist was named as a Living National Treasure. His work can be found in museums and exhibitions around the world. Working together with the bamboo, Fujinuma has developed a technique that does not force the bamboo to his will. His craft plays with tension and suspension. Noting that there is still much for him to learn, the artist seeks to push his discipline further by asking questions and focusing on the magical material of bamboo. "Each stick of bamboo is different. Understanding each piece and what you will create out of them -- that's the charm of bamboo art."

7. Maeda Chikubosai

© Kagedo.com, Boat Flower Basket by Maeda Chikubosai

Maeda Chikubosai was a famous artist in the Taisho era. During his career, he crafted presentation baskets for the Imperial Household. This “Boat Flower Basket” appears to be one of his works that he was very proud of, having signed it twice. Elegant and imaginative, the piece makes use of rattan with both strong and delicate knotting techniques.

8. Honma Kazuaki

Honma Kazuaki is well known for his expansive work with “bent bamboo.” The large scale of his pieces are abstract and creative, pushing the boundaries of traditional bamboo functionality to the point of abandoning it in favor of a more modern, sculpture-esque approach. “Breath,” made in 1968, stands at 34 ¾ inches. Kazuaki was based on Sado Island, the place where he would eventually teach his adopted son, Honma Hideaki, similar techniques of artistry and contemporary craftsmanship, while carrying the tradition of keeping bamboo in the family.

9. Osamu Yokoyama

We love the work of Japanese bamboo artist Osamu Yokoyama, which uses the material to create a dynamic and exciting piece full of drama. With pieces of bamboo rising like flames, or perhaps reminding the viewer of rollercoasters, the sense of movement that the material encapsulates is easily felt.

See more of Yokoyama's work at Yufuku Gallery.

10. Tanabe Chikuunsai IV

© Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, Enso "Zen Circle of Enlightenment"

Heir to a long dynasty of master bamboo weavers, Tanabe Chikuunsai IV learnt his craft at a young age, graduating in sculpture from Tokyo Art University, and joining the family studio in Sakai. His arresting and monochrome works are now present in many public and private collections, proving that bamboo can be both a subtle and a monumental, attention-grabbing material! You can see more at the Mingei Arts Gallery.

The incredible bamboo art of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV was recently placed centre stage at an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and it’s not hard to see why. His installation ‘The Gate’, specially created for the Met, compounds the qualities of bamboo as both a sculptural material in its own right, and an architectural building material. Both traditional and contemporary, ‘The Gate’ almost acts as a portal to another world.

You can get a glimpse of the artistry involved in this video from the Met.

Bamboo art is one of many Japanese craft skills that find a dedicated audience in the tea ceremony. See some of the sublime results:

11. Fujitsuka Shosei

© Fujitsuka Shosei, Rosette Nebula, 2013

This incredible piece of Japanese bamboo art seems to be inspired by nature, with its spiralling, intertwined bands of bamboo reminiscent of a shell or acorn. I can’t decide what draws me to this beautiful piece more; maybe it’s the juxtaposition of the red-hued bamboo against the black frame, or the entangled shapes that make up its circular, inward-looking form. A great example of some of the possibilities available from the bamboo material.

Enjoy more of Shosei's creations at Tai Modern.

12. Hajime Nakatomi

The work of Hajime Nakatomi oscillates between incredible geometric bamboo sculptures, where the bamboo is manipulated into forms which look like two dimensional spirographs, to his more traditional pieces which are reminscient of wicker baskets or containers. Safe to say we’re hooked on the beautiful patterns and shapes of these pieces.

Seeing bamboo a little differently now? Leave your comments below to let us know what you think!