Satoru Fujimoto / 紅雲 Ko-un (Miyajima-Rokuro Turnery)
Became an apprentice to a Miyajima rokuro craftsman at the age of 16. He devoted himself to creating trays and confectionery containers that showcase the beautiful natural wood grain, and was certified as a traditional craftsman in 1994. He guides apprentices ranging from their 20s to 50s and is also dedicated to nurturing successors for the craft.
Specialty Techniques: All aspects of rokuro-crafts (traditional Japanese turnery)
Main Products: Tea chests (Chabitsu), Tea saucers (Chataku), Trays, Tea powder containers (Natsume), Kneading bowls (Kone-bachi)
Career Highlights:
1989 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
1993 – Mayor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
1994 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts
1994 – Recipient of the 12th Prefectural Citizens’ Cultural Encouragement Award
1995 – Appointed Instructor for the Lathe Division, Miyajima Town Traditional Craft Successor Development Program
1998 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
2002 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
2003 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
Became an apprentice to a Miyajima rokuro craftsman at the age of 16. He devoted himself to creating trays and confectionery containers that showcase the beautiful natural wood grain, and was certified as a traditional craftsman in 1994. He guides apprentices ranging from their 20s to 50s and is also dedicated to nurturing successors for the craft.
Specialty Techniques: All aspects of rokuro-crafts (traditional Japanese turnery)
Main Products: Tea chests (chabitsu), teacup saucers (chataku), trays, tea powder containers (natsume), kneading bowls
Career Highlights:
1989 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
1993 – Mayor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
1994 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts
1994 – Recipient of the 12th Prefectural Citizens’ Cultural Encouragement Award
1995 – Appointed Instructor for the Lathe Division, Miyajima Town Traditional Craft Successor Development Program
1998 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
2002 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
2003 – Prefectural Governor’s Award, Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition
Kaname Okita / 水仙 Suisen (Miyajima-Bori carving)
Career Highlights:
1982 – Born in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
2003 – Graduated from Hijiyama University Junior College, Department of Fine Arts (Japanese Painting).
2008 – Apprentice to late Kazuo Hirokawa, Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Carving.
2017 – Received Hatsukaichi City Mayor’s Award (Traditional Crafts Grand Prize).
2022 – Honored with Hiroshima Prefectural Governor’s Award.
2024 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts.
Career Highlights:
1982 – Born in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
2003 – Graduated from Hijiyama University Junior College, Department of Fine Arts (Japanese Painting).
2008 – Apprentice to late Kazuo Hirokawa, Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Carving.
2017 – Received Hatsukaichi City Mayor’s Award (Traditional Crafts Grand Prize).
2022 – Honored with Hiroshima Prefectural Governor’s Award.
2024 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts.
Hiroshi Ono (Miyajima-Bori carving)
Career Highlights:
1986 – Born in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
2009 – Completed studies at Okayama Northern Technical College.
2009 – Apprentice to late Kazuo Hirokawa.
2010 – Received Gold Prize at the 36th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition.
2024 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts.
1986 – Born in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
2009 – Completed studies at Okayama Northern Technical College.
2009 – Apprentice to late Kazuo Hirokawa.
2010 – Received Gold Prize at the 36th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition.
2024 – Certified as Master of Traditional Crafts in Miyajima Crafts.
Hayato Nagatani / 昇仙 Sho-sen (Miyajima-Bori carving)
Since 2009, he has studied under late Kazuo Hirokawa (Master of Traditional Crafts). He specializes in creating intricate works featuring ginkgo motifs. He has also created kendama pieces carved with ginkgo patterns, paying homage to this traditional toy that originated in Hatsukaichi City.
Career Highlights:
4th and 6th New Annual Competition of Art in Hiroshima Prefecture – Excellence Award
39th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition – Traditional Crafts Grand Prize
Since 2009, he has studied under late Kazuo Hirokawa (Master of Traditional Crafts). He specializes in creating intricate works featuring ginkgo motifs. He has also created kendama pieces carved with ginkgo patterns, paying homage to this traditional toy that originated in Hatsukaichi City.
Career Highlights:
4th and 6th New Annual Competition of Art in Hiroshima Prefecture – Excellence Award
39th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition – Traditional Crafts Grand Prize
Toshiro Fujisawa / 木楽 Mokuraku (Miyajima-Rokuro Turnery)
He studied under late Mitsuru Sato (Master of Traditional Crafts). He operates his craft studio and shop “Kinouta” in Jigozen, Hatsukaichi City, where he primarily creates cups, sake cups, cutlery, and bowls. The studio welcomes visitors for craft observation.
Career Highlights:
48th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition – Bronze Award
He studied under late Mitsuru Sato (Master of Traditional Crafts). He operates his craft studio and shop “Kinouta” in Jigozen, Hatsukaichi City, where he primarily creates cups, sake cups, cutlery, and bowls. The studio welcomes visitors for craft observation.
Career Highlights:
48th Miyajima Specialty Products Promotion Competition – Bronze Award
late Kazuo Hirokawa / 一仙 Issen (Miyajima-Bori carving)
As a craftsman residing in Miyajima, his works are characterized by the loving perspective from which he observed and depicted the landscapes of Itsukushima Shrine and the native flora of Miyajima.
Career Highlights:
1972 – Studied under the late Otani Issui while visiting workshops of local sculptors in the town to acquire techniques
1973 – Won the Gold Prize at the 1st Miyajima Special Products Promotion Conference (continued to win awards at subsequent exhibitions)
1987 – Received the Cultural Encouragement Award from the Hiroshima Cultural Education Foundation
1994 – Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Miyajima Woodwork
1999 – Merit Award from Chugoku Bureau of International Trade and Industry
1999 – Received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
2021 – Passed away
As a craftsman residing in Miyajima, his works are characterized by the loving perspective from which he observed and depicted the landscapes of Itsukushima Shrine and the native flora of Miyajima.
Career Highlights:
1972 – Studied under the late Otani Issui while visiting workshops of local sculptors in the town to acquire techniques
1973 – Won the Gold Prize at the 1st Miyajima Special Products Promotion Conference (continued to win awards at subsequent exhibitions)
1987 – Received the Cultural Encouragement Award from the Hiroshima Cultural Education Foundation
1994 – Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Miyajima Woodwork
1999 – Merit Award from Chugoku Bureau of International Trade and Industry
1999 – Received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
2021 – Passed away
late Mitsuru Sato / 木寿 Mokuju (Miyajima-Rokuro Turnery)
Began his apprenticeship in woodturning (rokuro-zaiku) under his father, the first-generation Sato Mokuju, in 1943. Over decades, he mastered the full spectrum of lathe techniques inherited from his predecessors, crafting a diverse range of works—from everyday utensils to large-scale artistic pieces. He passed away in 2024.
Main Products: Ornamental trays (Kazari-bon), Tea chests (Chabitsu), Tea Saucers (Chataku), Tea powder containers (Natsume), Kneading bowls (Kone-bachi)
Began his apprenticeship in woodturning (rokuro-zaiku) under his father, the first-generation Sato Mokuju, in 1943. Over decades, he mastered the full spectrum of lathe techniques inherited from his predecessors, crafting a diverse range of works—from everyday utensils to large-scale artistic pieces. He passed away in 2024.
Main Products: Ornamental trays (Kazari-bon), Tea chests (Chabitsu), Tea Saucers (Chataku), Tea powder containers (Natsume), Kneading bowls (Kone-bachi)
late Akio Komatsu / 寿山 Juzan (Miyajima-Rokuro Turnery)
Akio Komatsu has been dedicated to lathe woodcraft since 1946, specializing in the polished finishing techniques (turned wood products) of precious woods, particularly fat pine(koe-matsu), inherited from his predecessors. He creates turned wood works using traditional lathe craft techniques.
Career Highlights:
1946 – Began apprenticeship in woodcraft under the first generation master Juzan
1954 – Prize winner at the 3rd Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Craft Exhibition
1957 – Prize winner at the 2nd Hiroshima Prefecture Saeki District Specialty Products Exhibition (consecutive prize winner for 10 years thereafter)
1971 – Created dedication pieces for Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
1977 – Selected for the 24th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (selected 10 times thereafter)
1980 – Prize winner at the Hiroshima Prefecture Small Wooden Products Design Contest
1990 – Selected for the 4th Japan Kōgei Association Wood and Bamboo Craft Division Exhibition (consecutive selection thereafter)
1991 – Selected for the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Exhibition (consecutive selection thereafter)
1995 – Work purchased by Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
1997 – Prize winner at the Hiroshima Prefecture Art Exhibition
1999 – Awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays (7th class)
2023 – Passed away
Akio Komatsu has been dedicated to lathe woodcraft since 1946, specializing in the polished finishing techniques (turned wood products) of precious woods, particularly fat pine(koe-matsu), inherited from his predecessors. He creates turned wood works using traditional lathe craft techniques.
Career Highlights:
1946 – Began apprenticeship in woodcraft under the first generation master Juzan
1954 – Prize winner at the 3rd Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Craft Exhibition
1957 – Prize winner at the 2nd Hiroshima Prefecture Saeki District Specialty Products Exhibition (consecutive prize winner for 10 years thereafter)
1971 – Created dedication pieces for Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
1977 – Selected for the 24th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (selected 10 times thereafter)
1980 – Prize winner at the Hiroshima Prefecture Small Wooden Products Design Contest
1990 – Selected for the 4th Japan Kōgei Association Wood and Bamboo Craft Division Exhibition (consecutive selection thereafter)
1991 – Selected for the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Exhibition (consecutive selection thereafter)
1995 – Work purchased by Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
1997 – Prize winner at the Hiroshima Prefecture Art Exhibition
1999 – Awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays (7th class)
2023 – Passed away
