Artist : Tetsuya Nagata

Mr. Nagata creates the collage that combines auspicious motifs like sea bream, crane, turtle, pine tree, plum tree, Mt. Fuji and seven deities of good fortune.

He uses wooden patterns which are used for making traditional Japanese confectionery.

Auspicious motifs are all molded from these wooden patterns and they are made from washi (Japanese paper).

Some years ago,Japanese people celebrated some life events and seasonal occasions with Japanese confectionery. 

However, the customs have changed and we rarely see traditional confectionery any more.

That means many wooden patterns have not been used.

Mr. Nagata collected these wooden patterns from Hokkaido( Japan's northern most island) to Kyushu(in the South) and they were made in historical periods. He gathered It is more than 2,000 of them.

These wooden patterns have their own memories of each celebration.

Mr. Nagata expresses these Japanese memories with his art.

What he needs to create these collages is "Washi (Japanese paper)".

He uses washi from Nishinouchi,Ibaraki prefecture, north of Tokyo. Washi are made by Seiki Kikuchi who is a professional washi craftsman, located in this town.

Mr. Nagata said that he wants to express the people's memories of celebrating with Japanese traditional cultures transcends time.

You can see his exhibition around Tokyo so please check the website for updates.

Also you can buy his works. It is made from Japanese paper so it is very light and can add a nice taste to your house.

HP: http://wagashizanmai.s2.weblife.me/

If you want to buy anything, please contact me.

# Japanesearts # Japaneseartist #Japaneseartandculture