Matsumoto Craft Fair / Nagano Matsumoto

Matsumoto craft fair is one of the biggest outdoor craft fair held in Japan every year on the last weekend in May.  This is my first time visiting the fair and Matsumoto city.  


In the early morning of 27th of May,  I took JR Super-Azusa from Shinjyuku-station and headed to Matsumoto.  It took almost 2.5 hours from Shinjyuku-station, but this is the fastest way to get to Matsumoto.  Taking Expressway bus from Shinjyuku-station was alternative option, it's cheaper but takes more time.  I found out later on buying Super-Azusa ticket at ticket outlet shop was much more cheaper than buying ticket at JR station, almost 2,000 yen cheaper.

About 280 craftsmen gathered from all over Japan and about 72,000 people enjoyed for this two days fair.  All the booth were full of unique crafts which handmaded by Japanese young crafts artists.  Matsumoto Crafts fair was held at Agatano-Mori Park.  About 20 min from Mataumoto Station by walking, and also for 100-yen there was shuttle bus from Matsumto Station to Agatano-Mori Park every 5 min. To prevent illegal parking and stand in the position of  preventing global warming, this fair strongly suggested use public transportation.

Let's me introduce several craftsmen that I though very interesting.

■KOBAYASHI/KATSUHISA （小林克久）

Place: Okayama

Category: Woodwork, Urushi

Wooden bowl roughly hand carved and put Japanese lacquer called Urushi on top. To increase in strength, add Jino-ko (powder of wood coal、stone) in Urushi and coats inside of the bowl. The reflection of light shows different faces in this bowl. 

■OOSAKO/YUKI (大迫友紀)

Place: Ishikawa

Category: Glass products

She express sensitiveness through her various type of glass products. Those frosted glasses lead us into the nostalgic memories of our past.  

■SEO/MAKOTO (瀬尾誠)

Place: Nagano

Category: Urushi

I was very impressed by his work that changed my concept of Urushi.  Urushi is generally used for lacquer ware such as dishes and soup bowls. Those lacquer wares are usually coated clean and sharp paint, but Mr. Seo uses Urshi for createing unique shapes and adding depth for his works. He is creating Art by Urushi.

                                                     

After Matsumoto Craft Fair, I visited Matsumoto Castle. Matsumoto Castle, sometime called 'Crow Castle' is one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan, and also the oldest castle  donjon remaining in Japan. It takes about 20min by walking or 10min by bus from Matsumoto station. On the sidewalk, ancient landscape of the town still remain, so I suggest by walking.

 

Especially street called ''Nakamachi-Dori' has many galleries which sell different types of Japanese traditional handcrafts such as Urushi, Porcelain, Textile, Woodwork, Glass and so on.