Craftsmanship
OEO Studio: Breathing New Life Into Craftsmanship
Thomas Lykke's grandfather was a carpenter. He transmitted to his grandson a passion for wood, the knowledge of how to use the tools, a genuine care for quality and, of course, the aesthetics of a well made object. Many years later, after training as a fashion designer in
Teachings from Japanese craftsmanship: what is enough?
This essay has been adapted from a short talk I gave at the Grande Finale of the House of Beautiful Business in Lisbon on November 6th, 2019 (watch the video). In March of this year I quit my job. I was feeling exhausted physically and mentally, and there was something
Tanimura Tango and Japan's Vanishing Chasen Craft
In Takayama, Nara prefecture, Tanimura Jun, professionally known as Tanimura Tango, continues a legacy that few others have maintained. As the 20th generation chasen master craftsman, he creates bamboo whisks essential for preparing matcha tea. Growing up, he showed no interest in the family tradition, nor was he pressured to
The Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival
When our attention is being sucked away by digital gadgets, how can you help people understand the value of well made products and create a closer connection to their makers? For the Japanese manufacturing district of Tsubame-Sanjo, the answer was rooted in the simplicity of direct human experience: to organise