AROUND JAPAN/ KYOTO: Web directory connects artisans and customers

The prefecture is supporting a project that it hopes will make placing a special order with an artisan as easy as browsing a phone book.

A Web site will be launched this month with a database that lists companies, artists and craftsmen dedicated, for example, to weaving the famed Nishijin-ori brocade and Kyo-yuzen printed silk.

The directory aims to be a "who's who" for craftsmen.

As of Jan. 22, 62 companies, workshops and artisans had applied to get their names registered on the data bank.

"We need to find a way out of our poor performance," a yuzen print silk manufacturer said.

A textile manufacturer cited "finding a new market" as its motive for signing up. Many others sound just as desperate.

There are high hopes that the Web site will help boost the traditional crafts industry.

The Web site is called "Kyoto Dento Sangyo Kyodo Bank" (Kyoto traditional industries cooperative bank) at <http://nishi-jin.net/densanbank/>.

When a user enters a keyword to search for a specific craft, images of the product will be displayed, together with a complete listing of the company or workshop that manufactured the item, a profile of the artisan and a telephone contact number.

The Web site will be managed by a nonprofit organization, the Kyoto Nishijin Machiya Studio based in Kamigyo Ward, with support from the Kyoto prefectural government and Kyoto Industrial Support Organization 21, an incorporated foundation.

Traditional Kyoto-style arts and crafts, including Nishijin-ori brocade and Buddhist altar fittings, are featured products.

Work can be contracted out through the Web site to various craftsmen and subcontractors.

Since many artisans don't publicize their work, or even put a sign in front of their stores, consumers and companies have had a hard time getting in touch with them for work like dying or chiseling.

The new "bank" will solve such problems by setting up communication channels. The goal is to provide more working opportunities for the craftsmen.

And now that making use of high quality objects over a long period is somewhat of a lifestyle trend, it is likely that there are more people out there who will want to order goods or repairs.

Hideki Fukuda, 37, is a graphic designer who is a researcher at the Kyoto Nishijin Machiya Studio. Fukuda pointed out that lacquerware might be a good candidate for new products.

"Besides the well-known black and red, lacquer comes in white, brown and other shades, too.

"If we ask a lacquerware workshop to make building blocks for children, for example, that might turn into an innovative craft item that incorporates traditional techniques," Fukuda said.

Currently, registration with the Web site is free. In the long run the studio plans to manage the data bank information service through fees collected from members.

A promotional event to show off a preliminary version of the data bank was held at the Pulse Plaza in Fushimi Ward on Feb. 20 and 21. The Web site officially launches in March.

For information, contact the Kyoto Industrial Support Organization 21 at 075-315-8677.(IHT/Asahi: March 4,2008)