About
Born in 1982, Naho Kamada is a Japanese metalworker from Kumamoto Prefecture who now resides in Tokyo. She studied under craftsman Takejiro Hasegawa, the third generation of the Hasegawa family who have a long tradition in producing metal items for the tea ceremony.
Naho Kamada became independent in 2008, producing metal objects that people can use on a daily basis and enjoy with longevity in mind. Her concept being to make modern pieces of metalwork that might make it possible to push forward this age old craft but still use the traditional techniques that have been passed down to her from craftsmen in the field.
Photography: Kazuhiro Shiraishi
INTRO
Metal is a material that is both cold and hard, so I think it takes a special kind of artist to put their own character in to such an object and craft with a special sensitivity that applies warmth to the material itself. This is exactly why we asked Japanese metalworker Naho Kamada if we could represent her work in the shop and we were honoured that she agreed.
Naho Kamada’s background as a creative is an interesting one and gives us some clues to how her style has evolved over the years and what inspires many of the intricacies in her work. As a student she liked oil painting and studied this art form quite extensively. Although she didn’t want to be a painter she knew she wanted to make something with her hands, whether that be using glass, ceramic or another medium. After viewing metal objects by chance she became inspired and looked at the possibility of studying to be a metalworker, later being offered a position as an apprentice for Takejiro Hasegawa, the third generation of the Hasegawa family. This family has a long tradition of producing items from metal for the tea ceremony, so Takejiro and Mami, Takejiro’s wife who is also a metalworker, guided Naho and taught her the foundations of how to craft functional objects from metal.
Approximately 3 years later in 2008 Naho stepped out on her own and started producing independently. She has since gone on to be very respected as a metalworker and is known to choose soft metals and hit these material with precision and a soft action, often choosing wooden tools over harder tools to carry through a subtle sensitivity in to the objects. When you pick them up this care in the making process is translated through to the object and makes you feel a connection with the maker, something that other craftsmen are just not able to convey.
We were lucky enough that talented Tokyo-based photographer Kazuhiro Shiraishi took the time out to go to her studio in Tokyo to showcase some of the skills and the beauty behind her work. I hope these inspire you and you will view her works in our shop. We think the collaboration between this photographer, artisan and our platform has made for something special. Enjoy.
Approximately 3 years later in 2008 Naho stepped out on her own and started producing independently. She has since gone on to be very respected as a metalworker and is known to choose soft metals and hit these material with precision and a soft action, often choosing wooden tools over harder tools to carry through a subtle sensitivity in to the objects. When you pick them up this care in the making process is translated through to the object and makes you feel a connection with the maker, something that other craftsmen are just not able to convey.
We were lucky enough that talented Tokyo-based photographer Kazuhiro Shiraishi took the time out to go to her studio in Tokyo to showcase some of the skills and the beauty behind her work. I hope these inspire you and you will view her works in our shop. We think the collaboration between this photographer, artisan and our platform has made for something special. Enjoy.
WORKS BY NAHO
KAMADA
See a selection of exclusive metalwork by Japanese artisan Naho Kamada online in our shop.
