[Special] Focus on Traditional Crafts in Ota City! Behold the Skillful Techniques of the Masters!

Among many traditional craft items, we visited the workshops of the “legends” of Japanese fishing rods and fruit carving and enjoyed their incredible techniques.

Japanese fishing rod craftsman: Hitoshi Yoshizawa

Japanese fishing rods are made by joining many sections of bamboo. Mr. Yoshizawa has always loved fishing since he was a child. He wanted to create his own bamboo fishing rod, so in his spare time, he kept visiting Mr. Kisaburo Yoshida (Yokohama Meister Sekirei), a master craftsman of Japanese fishing rods. As time passed by, Mr. Yoshizawa grew captivated by them and ended up making it his work. He now runs a fishing goods workshop called Saoyoshi.

He actually does not have a physical store, so we called in advance to visit his workshop.

Mr. Yoshizawa is shown here with his hand on an urushi muro (drying cabinet for lacquer). Lacquer has to be applied and dried many times.
Manufacturing bamboo fishing rods starts with selecting the material. In order to eliminate moisture, bamboos are naturally dried for about three years. It takes about three to six months from start to finish in order to produce one bamboo fishing rod. Even after one is finished, Mr. Yoshizawa gives it a trial run and sometimes revises it until he is completely satisfied with the product.

Mr. Yoshizawa creates Yokohama fishing rods, a specific type of Japanese fishing rod meant for fishing in the sea. There are approximately 14 steps from selecting bamboo to completion. We took a look at some of the steps.

Heat shaping bamboo
Bamboo is heat shaped with fire and by using a tool called a tamegi. Curves and any peculiar features are fixed during this process. Even after three years of drying, there still is moisture inside the bamboo, which emits steam as it is worked. Heat shaping the bamboo makes fishing rods strong and sturdy.


This is a set of tamegi used to fix any curves that bamboo may have. Various sizes are prepared so as to match the thickness of each fishing rod. Tamegi are made by Mr. Yoshizawa by carving oak wood or cherry wood.

Thread winding
To reinforce fishing rods and beautify the finish, a silk thread is wound before painting with lacquer. It is mostly a part that cannot be seen when the product is finished, yet it is a very important process.


Lacquer painting
Lacquer is applied over and over to achieve durability and a beautiful look. Every time lacquer is applied, it is dried in the urushi muro (drying cabinet). We heard that it is applied at least 100 times, and we had to pick our jaws up off of the floor after hearing how many times that process is repeated carefully and with dedication.

A traditional method of applying lacquer, negoro-nuri is performed, and then a pattern is created through scraping. In other words, special sandpaper is used to scrape the surface to create a pattern. This is definitely the technique of a master!


A forearm support is attached to a fishing rod used for fishing thread-sail filefish or Japanese whiting. Dense wood like ebony wood is used for a forearm support.


From left to right, fishing rods for thread-sail filefish, Japanese whiting, and another one for thread-sail filefish. An attached forearm support is one of the characteristics for these fishing rods.

Yokohama fishing rods like those Mr. Yoshizawa specializes in used to be used by fishermen in Honmoku, Yokohama City at the beginning of Meiji period. Yokohama fishing rods are made from cutting out Simon bamboo grown in clusters on the beach and attaching the baleen hair of a North Pacific right whale at the tip of the fishing rod. The method of construction is very different from Edo fishing rods that were developed for a culture of stylish fishing.

We asked a question to Mr. Yoshizawa. “What is the appeal of bamboo fishing rods in a nutshell?” He answered, “The best part of these fishing rods is that you can directly feel the very subtle strike of a fish. There’s no equal among other fishing rods as far as the sensitivity goes. It’ll definitely double the fun of fishing.” Mr. Yoshizawa looked absolutely delighted talking about his favorite fishing rods. The name of his workshop, Saoyoshi, is literally the Japanese kanji which means “I love fishing rods.” We definitely saw how true it is by talking to him.

Ice sculpting/Fruit carving artisan: Tsuneo Ono

Mr. Ono is a very famous artisan in the world of ice sculpting. He performs at events as well as creates pieces for TV commercials and advertisement posters.

The wall in his workshop is filled with photos of his past artwork. These pieces were used in commercials and events.
We visited Mr. Ono’s workshop and checked out a carving of a butternut squash. He carved the fruit without any drafts and even while doing an interview with us. It was just amazing!

Fruit carving originates from Thailand. Not just in Thailand, but also around the world, there are many people who have made a career out of fruit carving. Ice sculpting is not too different. It is a shame that we do not have many professional artisans in Japan.
There are various sizes of chisels used for ice sculpting. Even a chainsaw is used in events.
The ones in the two front rows are soap sculptures.
As we watched Mr. Ono carving with ease, we figured that he was great at art and drawing since he was young, so we asked him about it, to which he answered, “No, no, no. Not at all. I was never familiar with chisels and I’m still bad at drawing.” He used to be a chef of Western cuisine, and so he tried out ice sculpting for presentation with the food. This is how he started. He does not take in any apprentices, but there are many students he taught ice sculpting to in the past all over Japan. They help him out with events, and this is how he passes down his techniques. For being 73 years old and still an active ice sculptor, he laughed and mentioned that everyone calls him young for his age . He also said he hopes to take care of his health and work a little bit longer.


Examples of Mr. Ono’s artwork

An ice sculpture used for a candle lighting ceremony for a wedding reception “A Castle of Lights that Brings Us Together ”	The basic pattern of fruit carving is leaves carved from cucumbers and carrots.

You can experience carving at his workshop!
How about trying out a traditional craft with your friends?

Workshops
* For a group of one to six people. Time and date will be decided upon discussion. Please contact via a phone.
Soap carving workshop: 1,500 yen (* For middle school students or older)
Porcupine-shaped soap carving workshop: 500 yen (* For third year in elementary school or older)
Sandblasting workshop: 1,500 yen (* For middle school students or older) Please bring a glass or glass dish.

Ota City established a system to certify an artisan and craftsman in Ota City in 2018 so that traditional crafts will be protected and passed down to the future. For the purposes of improving public esteem of craftsmen and inspiring interest and curiosity for traditional crafts, the Ota City mayor bestows an Ota City Certification for Traditional Craftsmen on those who are working as craftsmen in Ota City. Other municipalities generally require a craftsmen’s union for a certification, but Ota City’s certification is given to individuals. “Ota City’s certification system for craftsmen is not limited to something Japanese and traditional, which I think is great. I get the impression that the city has the intention to protect and nurture those who have special skills and work in Ota City, and that is very encouraging. Our association also intends to have solid craftsmen and pass down each skill to the future,” said Mr. Hitoshi Yoshizawa.

The Traditional Craftsmanship Association of Ota, Tokyo, a group of craftsmen and artisans, of which Mr. Yoshizawa is the director and Mr. Ono is the general manager, was established in June 2012 in order to protect the craftsmen working in Ota City. This is a group that emphasizes passing down and protecting a variety of craftsmanship skills instead of sticking to passing down only traditional crafts. The association certifies a craftsman with a technique that originates from overseas as long as the technique is highly skilled, as well as techniques unique to Japan that have been nurtured traditionally. For example, parchment craft from Europe and ballpoint pen art developed on their own are examples of the skills possessed by craftsmen who are already among their members. However, one cannot register just the name. There is a confirmation process where a craftsman confirms they will conceptualize and be active in the development of traditional crafts, and only then will a craftsman officially become a member.

The association considers nurturing traditional crafts 100 years from now to also be part of their mission. The director, Mr. Yoshizawa said, “If there’s a craftsman with an amazing technique out there working alone, we urge them to join so that we can create opportunities to let everyone know the technique and protect it. If a technique continues to exist, then it can end up being a traditional craft.”

The Traditional Craftsmanship Association of Ota, Tokyo proactively participates in events to showcase the impressive skills their members possess, not only for the events held by the city, but they also sometimes hold events on their own. Ota Traditional Crafts Expo, which was held in September of last year for the first time in three years, is one of them. Each craftsman, including some guests, had their own booth to showcase their techniques and teach visitors in a workshop at the event.

The second Ota Traditional Crafts Expo was held on September 10 (Sat) and 11 (Sun), 2022. Over 900 visitors came during those two days, getting to know traditional crafts such as those treasured in Ota City.

Mr. Hitoshi Yoshizawa, Director of the Traditional Craftsmanship Association of Ota, Tokyo

The first day started out with an ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) performance and a greeting by the Ota City mayor as well as the opening message by Director Hitoshi Yoshizawa of the Traditional Craftsmanship Association of Ota, Tokyo.

Since the first expo was held in 2019, it had been three years before they were able to hold this expo. The second expo’s theme was “Meet the handcrafted work of Ota.” The craftsmen were excited to show their traditional craftsmanship techniques and have the visitors experience them. The visitors did not just watch the craftsmen work, but they also had a chat with them, creating a very friendly atmosphere.

The opening act on the second day was shishimai (lion dance) by Yawatamutsu-shishiren. It was an amazing stage.

The venue bustled with a wide range of visitors.
The craftsmen showcased their techniques at their booths, and many live performances also took place. Various guests performed calligraphy, storytelling, shamisen music, and a play. Some traditional craftsmen actually demonstrated their techniques.




An ice sculpture by Mr. Tsuneo Ono, the general manager of the Traditional Craftsmanship Association of Ota, Tokyo. By using various tools, a block of ice has turned into a beautiful sculpture of a swan.

Many craftsmen from a variety of traditional crafts gathered at the second Ota Traditional Crafts Expo. From Japanese traditional techniques to traditional art that originates from overseas, there was a huge variety and all of them were welcoming and engaging. Looking at each booth one by one got us interested in everything! When we talked to the craftsmen, they all paused in their work to have a wonderful chat. We were worried if it was okay to talk to them, but they were all so friendly that we realized we were overthinking things. It was indeed an event we hope to come and enjoy again.
At the Japanese fishing rods booth of Mr. Yoshizawa, whom we interviewed. We bet fishing aficionados could not resist checking out these beautiful fishing rods.
At the carving booth of Mr. Ono, whom we interviewed. It was especially popular among women, and many of them bought his pieces.

The best part of this event is that they had workshops where you could actually try out traditional crafts. The craftsmen gave the visitors some pointers, so even beginners could participate and have fun.


We took part in the workshop for soap carving.
Mr. Ono is showing us how to carve the soap. A chisel smoothly created a beautiful flower petal.

Hm? This is difficult. We could not keep carving in a beautiful circular motion. Mr. Ono gave us some tips: to sometimes check out the soap from a distance and to carve slightly shallow. With his advice, we were able to create somewhat of a flower shape.

Traditional crafts are not something difficult or uptight; anyone can enjoy them. We encourage you to try them out at events or workshops. “Unique Ota” will keep focusing on traditional crafts in Ota City in the future and update you with reports and introductions of events.

If you ever encounter a traditional craft and find your favorite, please make sure to post it on SNS. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #uniqueota!

Ota City promotion website “Unique Ota” delivers information about the appeal of Ota City with the keywords “a town where you can encounter unique locations unlike anywhere else, which can only be found in Ota City.”
Check back soon for the next edition!