Part 1: A Path to Tokyo Shippo Paved by Playtime—The Origin of 'Contemporary Master Craftsman' Hiroshi Hatakeyama

2026.02.02

#Artisan

#Contemporary Master Craftsman

#Tokyo

#Traditional Crafts

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#Traditional Crafts

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#History

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Once, there was a young boy who spent nearly every day playing outside, with little interest in his family's shippo-yaki (cloisonné) workshop. That boy was none other than Hatakeyama, who would later be recognized as a 'Contemporary Master Craftsman'.

"I was just helping out at first," he recalls. "The moment that truly sparked my interest was when I saw how beautiful the colors were after being fired."

Helping with the family business began as an extension of his playtime. But he soon found himself captivated by the beauty of the polishing and firing processes and was naturally drawn into the world of shippo-yaki. In this article, we'll explore Hatakeyama's journey from his early years to the moment he took over the family business.

PROFILE

Hiroshi Hatakeyama

Born in Tokyo in 1953. After graduating from university, he began his formal apprenticeship under his father, a shippo-yaki artisan. At 28, he took over from his father, becoming the second-generation head of the workshop. While upholding the traditional techniques of Tokyo Shippo, he has focused on crafting original accessories that utilize the tōtai shippo (plique-à-jour) technique. He was certified as a Tokyo Master of Traditional Crafts in 2005 and received the 'Contemporary Master Craftsman' award from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2023.

A Boyhood Spent Playing Outdoors

As a boy, Hatakeyama’s days revolved around playing outside. The moment he got home from school, he would toss his backpack aside and immerse himself in games like menko and che-ringu. His days were spent playing until dusk, drenched in sweat.

"When I was in elementary school, playing outside was the norm," he reflects. "Even when I came home, I almost never stepped foot inside the workshop."

For the carefree boy, the family's shippo-yaki business felt like a world away.