Shunsuke Wada
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Descending Dragon
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Tiger
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Skull
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Phoenix
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Dragon
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Sold outWABORI ART PANEL Hannya
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Sold outWABORI TALISMAN Skull
Regular price $111.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Sold outWABORI TALISMAN Phoenix
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Sold outWABORI TALISMAN Hannya
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Sold outWABORI TALISMAN Dragon
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Thoughts
Wada Chōkin Workshop operates under the catchphrase 'Creating stories through craftsmanship', leveraging traditional techniques cultivated over many years, design expertise, and planning capabilities to create products and works imbued with deep meaning. What I value most is not mere metalworking, but giving form to the 'Stories' embedded within. While bearing the weight of history, I constantly challenge ourselves in new fields, using various techniques including wa-bori chōkin (Japanese-style metal engraving) with tagane (chisels) to carve customers' thoughts, history, and Japanese aesthetic sensibilities into metal—a material that endures through time—delivering works that continue to shine across the ages.
Wa-bori Chōkin Techniques
Born into a family that has made chōkin (metal engraving) their livelihood for four generations, I learned wa-bori chōkin techniques from my father and grandfather. Wa-bori chōkin is a uniquely Japanese sculptural technique that decorates metal using tagane and hammers. By meticulously controlling line thickness, depth, and light reflection on metal surfaces, it creates a distinctive expression that combines both grandeur and delicacy. Through tagane techniques passed down for over 100 years and the sensitivity to bring out material characteristics, I imbue motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and seasonal flowers and birds with both strength and elegance.
Collaboration
Based on traditional wa-bori chōkin methods, I challenge diverse expressions by combining design creation and prototype production using 3D data. By utilizing not only my own capabilities but also networks of local craftsmen, my expressive possibilities expand infinitely.
I strongly emphasize combining not just techniques, but also cultures such as musical instruments, knives, anime, games, and professional wrestling. Through active collaboration with diverse creators and companies, I engage in fantastical and distinctive craftsmanship where tradition and contemporary culture resonate together.
Design and Narrative
Craftsmanship begins with contemplating the worldview and stories embedded in motifs. Traditional Japanese motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and seasonal flowers and birds each carry stories and symbolic meanings passed down through generations. These live not only in temple decorations and Buddhist implements but also breathe life into contemporary anime and games, forming Japan's unique worldview. I cherish the backgrounds of these motifs and decorative cultures, carefully creating designs that utilize their narrative qualities. Through design-making that connects tradition and modernity, I weave Japanese aesthetic sensibilities toward the future.
Aspirations
My goal is to continue creating works that move people's hearts while preserving tradition and adapting to changing times. When viewing 'Majestic Temples' or 'Passionate Festival Decorations', there are moments that make us exclaim 'Wow!' and stir my hearts. By refining my inherited techniques and sensibilities, I would be delighted to share Japanese decorative craft culture with the world and widely communicate its appeal.
