Takeo Tanaka keeps his workshop, left by his father, on the first floor of a traditional, small-scale Kyoto home.
Nothing but peace and quiet; and with good reason! His near-silent work belies the rubbing of brushes on paper. Takeo Tanaka's Koseido workshop specializes in the technique of Hyogu.
The ancient craft involves mounting traditional Japanese Washi paper in order to create and also restore works of art onto scrolls, frames and folding screens.
First produced in the eighth century, Byōbu - multi-paneled folding screens - were used in the imperial court and mainly in important ceremonies.
Aside from artistic application, the technique is used to create household objects such as sliding walls and folding screens. These are considered "Byōbu." Collaboration between Koseido and Garnier & Linker focused on household object use.
It is the product of research started in 2015 into ultra-light folding screens which even had paper hinges. The stretched paper provides a structure for designs adorned with gold leaves, platinum and Urushi lacquer.
