KARAKURI REPORT NO.10
November 28th, 2000

AT THE EXHIBITIONS THAT ARE BEING HELD, NEW KARAKURI PRODUCTS ARE APPEARING LEFT AND RIGHT!

THE NEW PRODUCTS EXHIBITION AT GINZA MATSUYA DEPARTMENT STORE IN TOKYO AND IN NEW YORK.

For about 2 weeks from August 2 - 14, the Karakuri Creation Group held a new products exhibition at Ginza Matsuya Department store. This was the second new products display for the Karakuri Creation Group, and it was very successful. Thanks so much to all of you who came. At this time, our newest products are being displayed at Katonah Museum of Art in New York. At this kind of exhibition, new trick products are appearing one after the other.

The new products exhibition in Tokyo.


At the present time, new products are being displayed at Katonah Museum of Art.

THE KARAKURI CLASSROOM WAS OPENED. THE CHILDREN EAGERLY PARTICIPATED.

For 3 days, from October 27-29, at the Odawara Arena, The "Odawara-Hakone-wooden goods fair 2000", sponsored by the execution committee, was held. At this event, trick products were on display, and the Karakuri classroom was opened. The Karakuri Creation Group's craftsmen participated as teachers, and together with the children enjoyed making products. This was the first time we had a karakuri classroom. However, all those who participated, young and old, were very eager to learn. The participants made a "Hit Box". Before the actual class, the group had to prepare the parts. The participants listened to the teacher's directions, and while we were handling the techniques, they put the parts together. When they completed their products, they could take them home. It seemed that the children were looking forward to showing their finished product to their friends and family. I imagine the children felt proud to show their friends and family. As for the Karakuri Creation Group, this classroom experience was very valuable. However, even more so, I think, was the fact that many people could enjoy trick puzzles.

KARAKURI EXHIBITION IN NAGOYA, SUMMER OF 2003

A few years from now, during the summer holidays of 2003, the Karakuri exhibition will be held at the Nagoya City Science Museum. This will be an extremely large exhibition. For this reason, it will take us a few years to prepare for it. OF course, we also intend to make new trick furniture. We hope you are looking forward to this as much as we are!

OUR GOAL IS THE KARAKURI MUSEUM

We imagine that through this museum, our products will be on permanent display, and that we will be able to show our newest products as well. It's not yet definite, but I think if it's realized, this will be a fun place that everyone is able to enjoy.

(by Iwahara and Oishi)

over

KARAKURI REPORT NO.8
April 10th, 2000

(For News #8, the new products picture from March 2000 will be published. All of these have been repeated, so we will omit a few)

(We introduced this web site address to the public)

THE NEW PRODUCTS EXHIBITION AT SHINJUKU ISETAN DEPARTMENT STORE WAS VERY POPULAR!

Last March 23-29, the Karakuri Creation Groups exhibition of new products was held at Shinjuku Isetan Department Store. It was very successful. Many thanks to everyone who attended.

While looking at the products the conversation was lively.


Because so many people came, it was very crowded.

OUR NEXT EXHIBITION FOR NEW PRODUCTS WILL BE HELD AT GINZA MATSUYA DEPARTMENT STORE, AUGUST 2-14

The next new products exhibition is scheduled to be at Ginza Matsuya Department Store in Tokyo, August 2-14. Because we, the members of the group, have successfully completed the first exhibition, we are very excited about making the next exhibitions products. In addition, in the fall, we are also planning an exhibition in New York! We welcome your continued support.

The end

Iwahara
Oishi

KARAKURI REPORT NO.7
February 15th, 2000

There is just 1 month left till our new products exhibition. In January, we are having the regular meetings, and are continuing with making our products. And at last, the importance of those products is coming. We have thoroughly gotten the preparations ready and are really looking forward to everyone coming!

THE FIRST KARAKURI CREATION GROUP EXHIBITION
at Isetan department store in Shinjuku, March 23-29, 2000

IN THE SUMMER MATSUYA DEPARTMENT STORE IN GINZA, AND IN THE FALL, NEW YORK!!
After Isetan exhibition, in the summer, we will hold another new products exhibition in Ginza, Tokyo, at Matsuya. In addition, for a few months in the fall, we will hold our new products exhibition in New York!! It will be at Katonah Museum of Art. I will report on all the details later, but first, we at Karakuri Creation Group are getting more and more eager as we work hard to finish our new products.

OUR IDEAS ARE GRADUALLY TURNING TO SHAPE
In our regular meeting in January, we each brought the trial products we had been working on, and continued to exchange ideas about the new products. As for the study materials, there was also a piece of furniture. As our new products exhibition is drawing nearer, all of the ideas we have come up with so far are beginning to take shape. Even considering our preparations, we seem to really be looking forward to this exhibition.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TEACHING CHILDREN KARAKURI?"
Also at this months meeting, we talked about our activities starting from April. Our group has already made a plan to continue with another new products exhibition for summer, but we also talked about how we could give back some of our success to the Odawara, Hakone area. One idea given was to show children how to make some easy Karakuri.

YOUR OPINIONS ARE INVALUABLE TO US!
At the meeting, another topic came up. What can we do for the theme "Karakuri", and also continue on with our goals? If you've ever thought, "I'd like the group to do this...", then please don't hesitate to contact us with your ideas.

ONE OF OUR GROUPS MEMBERS WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS WORK ON T.V.!!
Well, to change the topic a bit, last January 27th, one of our members, Mr. Hiroshi Endoh, participated on Japanese Television on the program "TV Champion". That episode's theme was Craftman King of Wooden Toys. And Mr. Endoh was beaming to become the #1 flawless champion.

product made by Mr. Endoh

THE CHILDREN ARE JUMPING WITH JOY
On this program, the childrens' smiles were unforgettable, as they played with the wooden toys. Actually many children were the judges who decided the winner. Even to see the picture, "a boat on rough seas", the children were so giddy as they continued to clatter the handles round and round. In this age of Nintendo, Gameboy, and plastic toys, even the commentators mentioned that children feel like playing with wooden toys is something new.

EVEN THE CRAFTSMEN WOULD LIKE TO START A "TOY MAKING CLASS"
The other craftsmen who participated on this program have opened a "toy making classroom", intended for children and their parents. They prepare the necessary materials, and also teach how to make the wooden products. I thought this was an interestng way to put together a "karakuri" theme.

Well, that's all for the Report NO.7. Hope to see you at the next exhibition.

over
(Iwahara)

The narrator began, "In the beginning of the Karakuri Creation Group, they thought that in order to bring traditions into the next generation, new inventions were necessary. The members include more than 10 craftsmen from around the Odawara, Hakone area. Applying this area's unique techniques, they would like to create a rich abundance of karakuri boxes." The narrator also introduced that recently we have been using our internet home page and seeing results by showing our members original work. At the end of the program, the narrator announced, "the Karakuri Creation Group was just getting started. They would have their karakuri box exhibition next spring in Tokyo. ('It sounds like fun')
Please look forward to the exhibition." Of course we already informed you of this exhibition, it is in Shinjuku at Isetan from March 23-29, 2000.

"WHERE SHOULD I GO TO SEE KARAKURI?"----"NO, IT'S NOT IN THIS AREA."
After the T.V. program aired, a number of people wanted to see karakuri. Those people must have thought, "if we go to Odawara, we should be able to see it". So they called us through the information center to find out where to go. The tourist asked, "we are now at Odawara station, and would like to see karakuri products. Where should we go?" However, there was no place where all the products could be seen. So we had to apologize by saying, "I'm sorry, but there is no museum hall like that." The tourists could do nothing but leave in disappointment. After hearing about this, we all thought, what a terrible and regretful situation.

WE WILL THINK OF GOOD IDEAS!
In the first half of our regular meeting on December 14th, 2 members, different from the other lecturers, were in charge of speaking. They started by introducing themselves, and then spoke about why they wanted to get involved with woodcraft, about their personalities, field of speciality, and what kind of karakuri they wanted to make. The reason why we introduced themselves now is because that's how we personally like to discuss things. They said, "to know each others personality and techniques is good for sharing opinions."

The first to give his talk said, "I'm not well thought out", and while he was saying this, he brought out and showed us his trial products. Those were his basic designs, shapes and movements. For almost an hour we were in an uproar, joking about what he ought to do! After we finished, the guest speaker said, "all of you contributed many ideas!". A member said, "I might spend all day thinking, if I was alone, and never come up with any ideas!" Our second speaker pulled out his basic products as well saying, "it's not karakuri, but..." and we also discussed.

At this meeting, we continually talked and exchanged ideas about the members products, without taking our regular 15-minute break.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES
In the second half of our regular meeting on December 14th, we realized it was our last meeting for 1999. We talked about how our activities had developed thus far, and what other kinds of activities the group should proceed with. Thoughts like, "people want to see our karakuri products, but there isn't any place to go. We need a permanent place to display our products". "It's better if the group makes a long term plan about this". And finally, "because people want to see karakuri, I want to respond to that demand." "To put out new karakuri products, there should be something like a theme to display the products." "And I think it's important to try to make a basic plan for events that are related to karakuri."

At this meeting we decided to hold exhibitions for new karakuri products and continue with our activities. From now on, we will make a basic theme for karakuri and continue to give our views on our activities.

(photo)
members of our group who are talking about new ideas

over
(Iwahara)