The Japanese Traditional Crafts Business
I launched "EnArtEx" as a branding activity for "inheriting" Japanese traditional crafts. In the first place, I knew the crisis of the survival of the Japanese sword. While living in Seattle, I was able to get acquainted with Yoshindo Yoshihara who is one of the most famous Japanese swordsmith in the world, and I was surprised at the survival of the Japanese sword when he told me the current situation. The largest number of arts and crafts designated as the Japanese national treasures is the Japanese sword. Old swords from the Heian / Kamakura period to the Edo / Meiji period are also sold as antique values, but the demand for modern swords made today is currently declining sharply.
When modern swordsmiths go out of business due to poor business conditions, the reality is that the fate of Japanese swords disappearing is not far away. Some Japanese traditional crafts are in the similar crisis, but I can't stand the fact that such traditional culture disappears in my life time period so that I am starting this activity as business.
When I told one of my friends about the Japanese culture, spirit and survival crisis of Japanese swords in Seattle, he ordered three swords without asking the price. That amazing experience gave me great courage to start this project. When I think what I can do, it is my strength and mission to publicize craftsman individuals overseas and produce patronage that leads to purchasing from the development of craftsman as their individual fans. I would like to connect not only to purchasing but also to finding partners for collaboration in events and production of works.
continued…