Making beauty: Suda Kenji

[@Codex_of_Wisdom]

Every bit of this process is amazing, but the fact that he plans each piece 10 years in advance in order to let the wood dry is the most incredible part, to me. That is some stellar patience.

[@ThePlayfarer]

I have always admired the aesthetic sensibilities of Japan. What a beautiful object!

[@mfollett3613]

It was a real pleasure to watch a multi-skilled craftsman at work. His laquered box was a joy to behold. I am pleased that the Museum were able to get one. They must be so rare, probably rarer than Faberge eggs. It shows that items don't have to be old to be exquisite.

[@bryankelly335]

From what I understand this kind of art is vastly disappearing .. I really hope it doesn't , each piece is extremely beautiful .. Not to mention the Historical & Traditional significance .. Thank you for sharing this with us .. Appreciate yah ..!

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

Sadly, around the world MOST art forms are rapidly disappearing due to lack of funding and disinterest from younger generations. This is why governments should be proactive in creating programs committed to protecting/preserving these endangered art forms, raising awareness about them, and encouraging people to start doing it themselves lest knowledge like this goes away forever as the master artists and artisans retire, age out of the profession or simply pass away.

[@lkmayhew9390]

Absolutely beautiful!👍

[@Jamerton1]

Great series! Thanks for uploading

[@Brakvash]

An absolutely transcendental document to this Master Artisan. Cool!

[@MB-uj7pp]

Legendary sashimono

[@waveandocean7598]

Thanks for sharing beauty 🙏

[@98Zai]

Something I find interesting is the contrast between stressful life of a salaryman and the almost Zen qualities of these artisans. I wonder if it's an image they want to project, to bring your thoughts to the ancient masters of Japan, or if they really live super stress-free lives.

[@Brakvash]

Making a piece of art creates a feeling of Zen in itself, he might even have a dayjob and this is his way of winding down.

[@98Zai]

@@Brakvash I was specifically wondering about if Japanese work ethics also apply to these fine art artisans. Clearly, this guy is an artist and his stuff probably sells really well if they wanted his stuff in the British Museum. But I'm still interested in the other stuff I see here on youtube where they have more of a production line.

[@ayeshak6822]

I'm sure there are moments of stress. But considerably less than a salaryman's. When you're this good at your craft, you're not the one begging for projects from people. People come to you and beg you to make an artwork for them. So you get to call the shots, whether to say yes or no, how long the project will take (some take a year or more), and you take your sweet time creating it, because after all, a great work of art should not be hurried. As a salaryman, someone tells you what to do and you can only blindly follow, plus all those deadlines.

[@oneshotme]

I like boxes myself and that's a very beautiful one for sure!!! I love maple wood and have never seen it done like that. Wow Enjoyed and a thumbs up as well

[@marigabyteyssier2279]

So pretty

[@monicalimacarvalho2885]

It is Perfect!

[@MartinAhlman]

I'm speechless...

[@biglakejudy]

I would love to have that little box. sigh.

[@joshhton1035]

The curator started in an American accent and slowly tapered off to Irish by the end of her statement.

[@525Lines]

I envy the high quality craftmanship of some of those Japanese objects. Too bad that kind of workmanship is so difficult to find in the US. I'd pay for a finely crafted item. We got to used to buying junk that we could easily trash.

[@golDroger88]

I highly doubt you can afford one of those boxes.

[@525Lines]

While the fanciest stuff might be out of reach, a lot of stuff I've seen from these craft stores would be affordable.

[@skywalkerneoblade]

How can anyone not love Japanese culture?

[@Arshva]

How strange that they associated colors to seasons so differently than the way I would expect. Spring and blue is not that weird but autumn and white?? Wow.

[@FlesHBoX]

Dear lord what is that piece of wood at 10:25 on? That figure is amazing!

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

is this a way to invest cheap today then to hold onto objects threw centurys until it is old with historical art value?

[@mrroberts7828]

Why would you think that? Lots of items in museums were pretty much new when they acquired them. It's whether it is of cultural significance, ie. representing some aspect of the culture that produced it, not it's monetary value that's important.

[@FlourescentPotato]

quality things cost a lot of money.

[@RomboutVersluijs]

WOw 1 box a year??! These must be very expensive. Wonder how he got so famous with such a low production speed. I dont know anything about this craft, wonder how it can take a whole year to make one of these? He must be doing a couple at the same time. A lot of waiting is involved as i saw this video, what a craft these man have.

[@Sheepdog1314]

wow

[@oneshotme]

I had to watch it twice.One to read what he was saying than again to see the beauty of what he made I really hate subtitles!!!!

[@adnaanu]

Stile is pronounced the same ways as style, not "steel lee"

[@wittgensteinedface3946]

Hi, I'm Japanese. The British Museum is very right in not reversing Japanese name into western style. “Kenji Suda ”isn't correct. “Suda Kenji ”is correct and right. Sometimes the reversed name means others name or has another means. As a museum for diversity, this should be praised.

[@ImmortalInflames]

I understand these are one offs made by a man that's considered to be a living national treasure that only makes a single piece each year. But I can't help but ask... What would one of his works go for at an auction? are we talking 6 digits... or we talking breaking into the million dollar range? I understand an items worth is simply what a person is prepared to pay for it & that such items are not built for monetary gains, but when I see a Duesenberg Model-J, Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic or even a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR: Street Version, I know the prices attached to these cars are simply to the moon and back (Duesenberg upto $20million USD, Type57 Atlantic upto $30million USD, CLK GTR ~$8million USD) But these wooden art pieces are beyond my experience and would love just a rough ball part of what such an item cost, should one have both the means & desire to pursue such an item.

[@stefanpop4957]

A perfect place to store your socks and underwear.

[@MR_R.o.b.o.t.o]

The cheap rubber golves were a nice touch. Classy

[@YarrHarr11]

You are not classy.

[@jpkatz1435]

The distraction of the "music" is HORRID. If whoever made the decision for it likes it so much, give us the option to listen WITHOUT it.

[@illmade2]

Wow a box.

[@esce69]

It's a beautiful useless box therefore art.