Core Kyoto S10E15 · The Beauty in Copying: An Art Form of Aspirations

Overview

The tradition of copying evolved in Kyoto over centuries through woodblock prints and reproductions of artworks. A 17th-century monk etched 60,000 woodblocks with sutras to promulgate Buddhist teaching. The collotype printing technique faithfully reproduces Kyoto's famed works of art. One initiative uses the latest scanning technology to preserve historical buildings and Buddhist statues as 3D digital data. Discover the techniques and aesthetics in copying through the people involved in the art.

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1. 1 1. Woven Gold and Silver: A World of Shimmering Patterns2022-01-06 · 28mGold and silver threads, made by lacquering gold and silver leaf onto washi, are indispensable in Nishijin brocade. The opulent appearance led to generous use in court and religiou
2. 2 2. Conversations: A Living Museum of Modern Architecture2022-01-20 · 28mAfter the capital moved to Tokyo in the late 1800s, Kyoto citizens enthusiastically modernized the city. Many of the buildings from that era, which were inspired by Western archite
3. 3 3. Writing Implements: Modern Elegance in Traditional Stationery2022-02-03 · 28mAristocracy, samurai and high-ranking citizens of the ancient capital prized writing implements of sophisticated design, made with expert skill. Stationery was seen as conveyance o
4. 4 4. Kyoto's Countryside: Compassion for Nature and its Blessings2022-02-10 · 28mKameoka, west of Kyoto, has supplied lumber and foodstuffs to Kyoto for over 1,000 years. Today it aspires to be an Environmentally Advanced City through the efforts of the sightse
5. 5 5. Conversations: The Power of Women in Decorative Arts2022-02-17 · 28mNagakusa Sumie, born and raised in the textile area of Nishijin, was taught how to embroider kimono with elegant designs by her parents-in-law. Eri Tomoko learnt to embellish Buddh
6. 6 6. Gateways: Sacred Demarcations that Repel Evil2022-03-03 · 28mGates allow passage through walls, fences and hedges, which separate individual premises from the outside. Temple, castle and residential gates take various forms depending on thei
7. 7 7. Buddhist Bells of Prayer: A Universe of Sound Cleanses the Heart2022-03-17 · 28mThe tone and timbre of Buddhist bells depends on their shape, thickness and metal composition. When the ancient capital was established in the late 8th century, temple bells were p
8. 8 8. Conversations: Learning Aesthetics from the Ancients2022-03-24 · 28mAmerican photographer Everett Kennedy Brown, a resident of Kyoto, traveled more than 50 countries during his career as a photojournalist before settling in Japan over 30 years ago.
9. 9 9. Old Building Materials: The Ancient Capital's Culture of Recycling2022-04-07 · 28mKyoto has many shrines, temples and traditional structures, spurring people to place special value on old building materials over the centuries. After the Middle Ages, merchants at
10. 10 10. Dried Foods: Ancient Wisdom Gracing Kyoto Tables2022-04-21 · 28mDried foods evolved as an efficient way of transporting produce to the ancient capital. The practice increased not only their shelf life but also their tastiness and nutritional va
11. 11 11. Art Frontier: Creators Forge New Paths into the Future2022-05-12 · 28mKyoto artists are focusing on new styles of art, based in the traditions of the old capital. One captures paint splashes with a high-speed camera to create "ikebana" in motion. Ano
12. 12 12. The Lights of Kyoto: Illuminating and Soothing People's Hearts2022-05-19 · 28mCandles were long prized in the city's many shrines and temples, and throughout the ancient capital. People did not see them as mere implements to illuminate the dark but also symb
13. 13 13. Shikimono: The Culture of Living on the Floor2022-06-02 · 28mTatami, cushions and futon--collectively referred to as Shikimono--evolved in the imperial palace, shrines and temples to suit the Japanese custom of sitting and sleeping on the fl
14. 14 14. Wazuka Tea: A Vibrant Village of Fragrant Fields2022-06-16 · 28mThe town of Wazuka in southern Kyoto Prefecture has recently been in the spotlight as a producer of quality tea leaves. It produces around 40 percent of renowned Uji tea and 20 per
15. 15 15. The Beauty in Copying: An Art Form of Aspirations2022-07-07 · 28mThe tradition of copying evolved in Kyoto over centuries through woodblock prints and reproductions of artworks. A 17th-century monk etched 60,000 woodblocks with sutras to promulg
16. 16 16. Conversations: The Colors of Kyoto2022-07-21 · 28mTextile producer Shimura Shoji dyes threads for his kimono and other items with natural pigments, used since ancient times. Together with his mother and grandmother, both dyers, he
17. 17 17. Ornamental Metalwork: Magnificent Mastery Transcends Generations2022-08-11 · 28mOrnamental metalwork evolved mainly in the ancient capital through the patronage of the imperial court and places of worship. Metalworkers beat, stretch, carve, shave, and cast met
18. 18 18. Men's Kimono: The Beauty of Dressing with Flair2022-08-18 · 28mKimono are worn as formalwear and in cultural pursuits, but few men don them and the market has shrunk. Various initiatives aim to reverse this trend. One man sells outfits to disp
19. 19 19. New Directions for Washi: The Sustainable, Elegant Use of Paper2022-09-01 · 28mA washi designer combines huge sheets of washi with lighting to enliven open architectural spaces. Stoles made from dyed, washi-woven textile are the amalgamation of traditional Ky
20. 20 20. Kamo River: The Flow of Life and Culture in the Ancient Capital2022-10-06 · 28mThe Kamo River flows 23km north-south through the city center. Emperors on their enthronement would once purify themselves in its waters, and dyers would rinse bolts of fabric down
21. 21 21. The Spirit of Frugality: Modern Ingenuity and Age-Old Wisdom2022-10-20 · 28mAs the ancient capital, Kyoto is known to be graceful and splendid. But the merchant and lower classes were thrifty, cleverly using the resources at hand. They treasured their belo
22. 22 22. Dashi Stock: Savory Umami for Exquisite Cuisine2022-11-24 · 28mWhen Washoku, or Japanese cuisine, became UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, the flavor called umami became more widely known abroad. And, dashi is the ingredient that pr
23. 23 23. The Dragon: Deity of Water, Protector of the Capital2022-12-08 · 28mBelief in imaginary, spiritual dragons arrived from mainland Asia and differs in Shinto and Buddhism. The blue dragon, as water deity, is one of the directional guardians believed