Hyogo | Straw art craft studio tour

Hyogo | Straw art craft studio tour

from $420.00

[Private Masterclass]
$420 USD per person
Minimum 2 participants; solo guests may book at the price of 2 participants

Please make your booking at least 14 days in advance.

Number of participants:

1 2 3 4

Quantity:

BOOK

Marvel at the history and beauty of intricately hand-fashioned straw art crafts

Details

Private experience
Location: Kinosaki-onsen, Toyooka
1.5 hours
4 people max.
Offered in Japanese, with friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English
(French/German interpretation may be available upon request)

Unparalleled elaborate design

Straw art has been designated a “Local Traditional Craft” in Hyogo Prefecture where it has a 300-year long history. Straw crafts took root in the area when a traveler named Hanshichi from Tottori Prefecture visited Kinosaki Onsen seeking rejuvenation from the mineral-laden hot spring waters. Hanshichi used delicately colored strands of barley straw to make spinning tops and wrap bamboo flutes which he then sold to pay for his accommodations at the onsen. Straw crafts quickly evolved from Hanshichi’s original pieces to artworks of unparalleled elaborate design. Famous painters of the Meiji era (1868-1912) brought sketches to local straw craftsmen for them to design straw prototypes of their images which would be incorporated onto decorative wooden boxes, earthen bells, oblation plaques, spinning tops, and other wares.

Toshiaki is a third generation craftsman carrying on the tradition of creating elaborate straw art wares. He maintains both a studio and a museum dedicated to preserving historical straw crafts. Join us on a tour of the museum where you can see how straw crafts take on a depth and an elegant, silky-smooth luster with age. From the museum, it is a mere few steps to Toshiaki’s studio. There, you can marvel in the beauty of the delicate straw strands as they are meticulously, gracefully crafted into stunning works of art.

What you’ll do

Visit the small museum dedicated to the history of this art, where you will receive an informative explanation about the delicate art form of straw art. After the museum tour, we'll take you to the artisans' workshop, where you can witness their work firsthand. It's a unique opportunity to observe the creative process and gain a deeper appreciation for the skill and dedication that goes into producing these beautiful works of art.