Unveiling the latest showcase: "HIDA | A Tradition Taking Shape in Woodwork" on our website.
In the heart of Los Angeles, from January 16 to April 12, 2020, the "HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making" exhibition is showcasing the rich history and significance of Hida woodcraft. This centuries-old tradition, rooted in the Hida region of Japan, is renowned for its precise joinery techniques, use of Japanese cedar and cypress, and deep connection to both functional architecture and artistic expression.
The Hida region, with its mountainous terrain and abundant forests, has been a cradle of skilled woodworking since the 7th century. Craftsmen developed sophisticated woodworking skills to create durable structures, furniture, and intricate wooden objects without nails or metal fasteners, relying instead on precise joinery. This method reflects a profound respect for natural materials and sustainable practices that have been passed down through generations.
The exhibition in Los Angeles showcases this heritage by presenting both traditional techniques and contemporary adaptations, emphasizing the ongoing vitality of the craft. It brings attention to the craftsmanship, cultural importance, and aesthetic values embedded in Hida woodwork, highlighting it as a living tradition that bridges history and modern creativity.
At the core of the exhibition is Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd, a century-old furniture maker from the Hida region. Hida Sangyo has received acclaim in Japan and abroad for its technical expertise, quality, and design skills. The company's furnishings have been specifically selected to adorn the Japanese imperial palace, and they have collaborated with leading world designers to expand the potential of wood.
The exhibition also features collaborations between Hida Sangyo and top contemporary designers like Enzo Mari and Sori Yanagi. Visitors can admire items like a chair designed by Sori Yanagi and a branch spoon created by Ibuki Kaiyama. Hida Sangyo's wood compression techniques with cedar are also highlighted, making the typically soft cedar suitable for long-lasting furniture.
The success of Hida Sangyo has influenced other manufacturers to stay or move to the Hida area, furthering the region's woodcraft mastery. The company's philosophy incorporates coexistence with the forest, consideration of human needs, experience enriched through time, and continuous refinement of craft.
The exhibition's website, an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs, including Los Angeles, was conceived by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Los Angeles hub occupies two floors at Hollywood & Highland, featuring a gallery space and a Japanese restaurant, among other amenities.
In 2007, the HIDA brand was exhibited at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York and received the Craftsmanship Award. The exhibition in Los Angeles aims to allow visitors to experience these themes through displays of regional specialties like Hida-shunkei lacquerware, Ichii wood carving, and mageki (wood bending).
The "HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making" exhibition is a testament to the enduring manufacturing culture of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd, which has embraced sustainability and focused on the future. It is a unique opportunity for the general public to gain an appreciation for the artisanal skills and cultural significance of Hida woodcraft, a living tradition that continues to evolve and inspire.
[1] For more information on the broader heritage of Japanese carpentry, please refer to this article.
- The "HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making" exhibition, held in Los Angeles from January 16 to April 12, 2020, demonstrates the rich history and significance of Hida woodcraft, a centuries-old Japanese tradition.
- The Hida region, famous for its mountainous terrain and abundant forests, has been known for its skilled woodworking since the 7th century.
- Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd, a century-old furniture maker from the Hida region, is showcased in the Los Angeles exhibition for its technical expertise, quality, and design skills.
- The exhibition in Los Angeles not only presents traditional Hida woodcraft techniques but also contemporary adaptations, emphasizing the ongoing vitality of the craft.
- Visitors to the exhibition can admire items like a chair designed by Sori Yanagi and a branch spoon created by Ibuki Kaiyama, showcasing collaborations between Hida Sangyo and top contemporary designers.
- The exhibition also highlights Hida Sangyo's wood compression techniques with cedar, transforming the typically soft cedar into long-lasting furniture.
- The HIDA brand has been recognized with the Craftsmanship Award at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York in 2007, demonstrating its global appeal.
- The exhibition's website is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs, one of which is located at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles, featuring a gallery space, a Japanese restaurant, and other amenities.
- The "HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making" exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the general public to gain an appreciation for the artisanal skills and cultural significance of Hida woodcraft, a living tradition that continues to evolve and inspire, and for further exploration into Japanese carpentry heritage through this article.
