Sachiko Tamashige ✿ A craft astronomer
Sachiko Tamashige in the Eden Cafe, Kyoto
Sachiko Tamashige applies a unique perspective on craft as a reflection of the place of humans in the wider cosmos.
Sachiko Tamashige studied social psychology and journalism at Waseda University, art history at Sotherbys and film anthropology at Goldsmith College in London. She worked for NHK, BBC, and Channel 4 etc. between 1990 and 2001 in London. She also wrote for newspapers such as Japan Times, newspaper weekly magazines such as AERA, monthly magazines such as Blue Prints and etc., specializing in contemporary art, architecture, design and Japanese traditional culture.
Sachiko describes her interests and location in the world:
I am looking for a subject that touches upon the fundamental themes that can be the clues to understanding the secret of the universe and humanity. I try to introduce the world of craftsmanship with the power of hand-made and physical presence as well as the cutting edge of digital arts by contemporary artists such as TeamLab so that our readers can enjoy the wide spectrum of the creativities of people and think about the reason of the existence of human-being during the age of digital transformation and AI.
Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto (Creative Commons License https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffwhalan/)
I live near the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, where I can take a good walk by popping into small temples, shrines, gardens, café and galleries alongside streams as if I were tracing the scroll painting. It is an ideal basis for me as I could explore history and traditional subjects. I can also join the public lectures or seminars on the cutting-edge research of science at Kyoto University or see the exhibitions of art universities and museums. I also get good access to the ancient forest, Tadasunomori, the world heritage, in the site of Shimogamo shrine and get lots of inspiration to learn about ancient cosmology based on animism.
Recommended authors
Junichiro Tanizaki (1886 – 1965) is a Japanese novelist author of the essay on Japanese aesthetics In Praise of Shadows (1933) which inspired me so that I became to look at the space of the architecture or the lacquerware by paying lots of attention to the effect of light.
The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho inspired me to think that life itself is the process of alchemy to transform oneself.
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Chozetsugiko ✿ The transcendent technique of Meiji craftsmanship reimagined - Sachiko Tamashige heralds a remarkable new generation inspired by the hyper-realism of the Meiji era.
Monkō (聞香): The Japanese way of listening to incense - Sachiko Tamashige offers a brief history of incense culture in Japan and the experience of visiting Kunjyukan in Kyoto.
Alchemy in Japanese traditional craft: Forging and polishing the spiritual world - Sachiko Tamashige writes about two Japanese metalsmith families, Myochin and Yamamoto, who demonstrate an alchemical power to transport base metal into the spiritual realm.
Alchemy in Japanese traditional craft: The transformation of light in Tamahagane forging and polishing - The eleventh talk in our Reinventing the Wheel series is in Kyoto, where Sachiko Tamashige introduces the traditional practice of sword and mirror polishing.
Swords of Kyoto: How weapons became cultural treasures - Sachiko Tamashige reflects on the continuing significance of the sword as treasure of Japanese culture.