Hi everyone.
I have thought that I am a craftsman rather than a potter.
Potter is a person who make something out of cray. Then, what is craftsman? In Japan, the word 'craft' is not well known yet.
As craft has a broad sense of interpretations depending on country, people and times, it is difficult to explain clearly.
In this article, I would like to describe craft with a little bit of my point of view.
Generally, craft is defined the well skilled and designed works for people's daily life, which are made by handwork not industrial mass products.
In art, craft has been very popular word for a long time. The well skilled and designed works of cray, wood, lacquer, metal, glass and other materials can be called craft works. Craft works have both practical utility and artistic quality and could answer the needs of current lifestyle. These are notable aspects of craft.
And one more thing, it is affordable, not so expensive.
And a person who makes craft works is called craftsman. Most of craftsmen have their own belief in creation and make works in individual studio.
Recently, 'craft' is getting more popular in the field of food and beverage. Have you ever taken or heard the craft beer, craft coke, craft coffee, craft chocolate etc.? Maybe You have heard it somewhere, haven't you?
So, here are two examples.
When you went to the chocolatery and saw the chocolates, have you ever thought 'What a beautiful chocolate! It was like a artwork!'
And when you drank craft coke or beer at the individual shop, have you ever tasted rich flavor? 'What a excellent taste this was!'.
These feelings are exactly that. It's exactly the combination and the harmony of both practical utility and artistic quality. This is the craft I think.
I have wanted to make that kind of works.
I hope if you feel craft works close to you as well as chocolate(or beer?).
Cup with line