Art in the Garden
Hakkodo, the Artisans of Kamakura

Spring 2015

Hakkodo, the Artisans of Kamakura

Hakkodo: the Artisans of Kamakura was the third ina series of three exhibitions featuring Japaneselacquerware – a unique art form that is still little
known outside of Japan. This exhibition offered arare chance to see how a centuries-old tradition has
evolved from generation to generation down to thepresent day.
CA RV I NG A N E W PAT H F OR A N A NC I E N TT R A DI T I ON

In Kamakura, Japan, a small history-bound city
located about an hour south of Tokyo, the craft ofcarved, lacquered woodwork has been passed downfrom father to son for 29 generations. One of theoldest establishments working in this medium is theGoto family’s Hakkodo. Breaking new ground as thefirst woman to head the family business, Keiko Gotois building upon the tradition of her ancestors while
creating work that is both innovative and uniquely
her own. In this exhibition, Keiko and her artisan
sister Naoko Goto have brought all four generationsof Hakkodo work to the Portland Japanese Garden
for the first time in more than one-hundred years.

Hakkodo’s

skillshavebeenpassed

throughgenerations, but they’re not afraid of adding modern
methods to make beautiful objects of art.
M E T R O P O L I S

M A G A Z I N E

A N E VOLU T I ON OF DE S I G N

The woodcarving tradition of Japan began with
Buddhist sculpture, which flourished in theKamakura period (1185-1332). In the 14th and 15thcenturies, Buddhist sculptors in Kamakura became
known for their creative use of lacquered wood ina technique now referred to as Kamakura-bori.

2A RT IN THE GA RDEN

Inspired by imported Chinese methods of carving
low-relief patterns into many layers of lacquer
on religious objects, the new Japanese method ofapplying lacquer after carving the wood resulted instunning designs that had greater depth and design
possibilities.
When Buddhism fell out of favor in Japan in the 19thcentury, Buddhist sculptor Itsuki Goto redirected
his work to produce objects for everyday life suchas trays and bowls which showcased his mastery ofthis technique in their ornate designs, establishing
Hakkodo in 1900.
Eager to show the world this exquisite example ofJapanese workmanship, Japan sent work by Itsuki
and his son Unkyu to the Lewis & Clark Centennial
Exposition of 1905 in Portland, where Hakkodo
was awarded a Gold Medal for outstanding
craftsmanship.
A graduate of Tokyo National University of Fine Art &Music, Keiko Goto has continued to take Kamakurabori in new directions as Hakkodo’s chief designer.
“The beautifully carved robes of Buddhist sculpture
by Ms. Goto’s great grandfather are reflected in theflowing lines of her contemporary work, adding anew chapter to this artisan family’s long history,”said Diane Durston, the Arlene Schnitzer Curator ofCulture, Arts and Education.
This exhibition brought the Goto family back toPortland 110 years later.
While Keiko Goto is making history as the firstwoman to run the family business, she follows afamily tradition of innovation. Shuntaro Goto, Ms.
Goto’s father, also played a significant role in theevolution of Hakkodo’s designs. His plate titled“Pomegranate” can be seen as a seminal piece thatbridges past and present with bolder, more expansive
design elements.

SPRING 20153S P ON S OR E D BY :The Collins Foundation; ESCO Foundation; William G. Gilmore
Foundation; Henry Lea Hillman, Jr. Foundation; Jackson Foundation;
PacifiCorp Foundation; Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust.

S PEC I A L T H A N K S :Katherine & Mark Frandsen

Diane Durston
Curator of Culture, Art, and Education
ddurston@japanesegarden.org

All Photos: Jonathan Ley

Portland Japanese Garden | Post Office Box 3847 | Portland, Oregon 97208-3847© 2018 Portland Japanese Garden. All rights reserved. Printed on 100% recycled fiber content with 100% post-consumer waste. Processed chlorine-free. FSC certified.