Autumn Swordfish Issue 8: Kyoto Artisans and Taiwanese Design's Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter

Autumn Swordfish Issue 8: Kyoto Artisans and Taiwanese Design's Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Kyoto is like a woman veiled in mystery, beautiful and captivating, revealing different facets with each encounter. More importantly, her unfathomable depths hold a special allure. Even Japan itself is captivated by Kyoto, treating "Kyoto" as a brand – noble, tasteful, and often infused with artistic elements. To wander through its old streets, don traditional kimono, brush past geishas, and tread with a sense of Zen by the Kamo River or amidst ancient temples, one can admire the blossoms, the moon, and centuries of splendor, even when alone. After poring over many books, I pondered whether to savor Kyoto's intricate flavors through taste, as gourmet Han Liang-lu did in "Dewy Kyoto"; or to emulate the Boys' Holiday Committee in capturing fleeting travel moments in "Left Kyoto"; or to earnestly study the calligraphy, chess, poetry, and painting reminiscent of Tang Dynasty poems, the dry, ancient trees in gardens. The reason Kyoto is called a bottomless well of Japanese history is precisely because the more one learns about it, the more one realizes their own insignificance before history. Many long-time Kyoto residents dedicate their entire lives to studying just one aspect or field of Kyoto, and that is enough for a lifetime. This time, I couldn't refuse the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when invited by Naoki Miyashita, the curator of "Imagined Kyoto," with the proposition: "Let's uncover the secrets behind Kyoto artisans' workshops!" It is incredibly difficult to persuade artisans to open their workshop doors and personally demonstrate their craft, especially in Kyoto, the capital of craftsmanship. Here, artisan aesthetics are not merely a part of life but the foundation of social philosophy; the brands that matter are the artisans themselves. While the beauty of Kyoto's craftsmanship fascinated me, what truly moved me was Mr. Miyashita's statement: "Kyoto's history spans a thousand years, but to pass it on, our generation must write its next story." Thus, he initiated cross-cultural exchanges, starting with collaborations among Kyoto artisans, like adorning established brands with a fresh look. Now, he has extended his reach to Taiwan, recognizing the youthful and limitless creativity of Taiwanese design, and decided to orchestrate a "Kyoto Artisan x Taiwanese Designer" collaboration, pairing a Japanese artisan with a Taiwanese designer for a powerful joint creation. If Mr. Miyashita, a native of Kyoto, aims to craft stories for Kyoto, then let "Autumn Swordfish" document the history for the future of Taiwanese brands. Therefore, this past January, before the snow fell in Kyoto, we visited 11 workshops, 2 tea houses, and 1 machiya, traversing 1200 years of history. The ancient soul of Kyoto and the new inspiration from Taiwan mingled like hot water brewing tea leaves, releasing a fragrance and leaving a lingering, sweet aftertaste. Setting aside the countless craftsmanship techniques and schools, what moved me upon first entering the workshops was not just the artisans' "lifelong dedication," but also the antique clocks invariably hung on their walls. In the serene passage of time, each artisan, with passionate hands, would shape clay, fire tiles, make paper, or weave, accompanied by the ticking of the clock and the chime on the hour, as if a reminder to focus intently until the end of the workday. After interviews, I enjoyed staying a while longer in the workshops, pretending to be a craftsman inheriting centuries-old techniques, quietly standing in my designated spot, listening to the ticking of the hour hand and my own heartbeat, creating what could be called a "perfect" piece. Just as the artisans said during their interviews, "Only by creating the best final product can we enable the next generation to follow us and develop a more beautiful life." We are grateful to all the Taiwanese design teams who participated in this project. Reiko Torii, the owner of a century-old Kyoto brocade shop, who has witnessed countless examples of Kyoto's ultimate beauty, still exclaimed upon receiving the finished products from the collaboration with Taiwan, "Taiwan, you should be proud of yourselves." Here, we document each of you who are writing history for the next generation, facing work with the "spirit of craftsmanship." Regardless of your profession, to achieve perfection with heart and soul is a form of artistry.