Book: Shikuntei-koujitsu
The scent of Zen
behind a quiet life of Bamboo artists
About 100 year ago, a young bamboo craftsman and later a national living treasure of Japan, Shounsai Shono, built a simple studio house at a corner of terraced rice field in the rural area of Oita. This simple house, named Shikuntei, has gradually developed its form taking over the years. Shikuntei was taken over by his son, Tokuzo Shono, also renowned bamboo artist and together with her wife, Hisako, the aesthetics of Shounsai is carried on to date in their daily lives.
Like their bamboo works that have been created over the past 100 years, Shikunitei has became the culmination of beauty developed by two generations of bamboo artists.
Through this book, we can perceive a hint of the path to the enlightenment: in Shikuntei, the daily activities such as cleaning and cooking are done in the perfect harmony with the surroundings where nature and art merge beautifully together. It tells us that a real contentment lies in the ordinary, modest way of life.
Author: Tokuzo Shono
Photography and Editing: Ko Watanabe
Design: Kayo Nohara
272 pages
Size: 22.5 x 15.5cm