Naoto Morita: Wooden Folk Crafts

"Kino Komingei" (Old Wood Folk Crafts) by Tadashi Morita is a collection of materials that focuses on wood as a material and introduces the charm of woodcraft folk art from various regions of Japan.

It features a diverse range of wooden products rooted in daily life, such as chests, wooden bowls, stationery, toys, and dolls, with explanations accompanied by color and monochrome illustrations. By carefully deciphering the forms, uses, and textures of materials nurtured through practical use, it reveals the rich world of woodcraft folk art. It also includes items that have been lost in modern times.

The items selected based on the aesthetic sensibilities cultivated as the owner of "Komingei Morita" are more than mere documentation; they possess a beauty and functionality that resonate with contemporary living.
This book can be called a "picture book of wooden folk crafts" for rediscovering the charm of woodworking.

[Title] Kino Komingei (Old Wood Folk Crafts)
[Publisher] Kogei Shuppan
[Publication Date] December 20, 1975 (First Edition, 1st printing)
[Number of Pages] 188 pages
[Size] Approx. 157*217*19mm / 570g
[Format] Hardcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] KINO KOMINGEI
[Author/Editor] Tadashi Morita/Author
[Printing] Kowa Bijutsu/Printing, Erikawa Shikou/Binding
[ISBN] 0760032223
[Condition] Used 【5】Good (Slight rubbing and minor scratches on cover, minor scratches on back endpaper)
[Accessories] -
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Tadashi Morita (1933-)

Born in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture in 1933.Dealer of old folk crafts.
Opened "Komingei Morita" in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo in 1970, and continued his activities based there until relocating to Kyodo, Setagaya Ward in 2024.

While grounded in the aesthetic sensibility of folk art, he handles a wide range of antique items, including ceramics, woodcrafts, bamboo crafts, lacquerware, and textiles, from a free perspective that is not bound by era, region, or genre. His aesthetic eye is characterized by finding charm in anonymous items that harmonize with modern living, based on the criterion of "what delights the eye."

Due to its location in Aoyama, his clientele is diverse, extending beyond antique enthusiasts to include apparel designers, artists, and tea ceremony practitioners. For many years, he has continued to present the value of antiques that are活きた (active/useful) in daily life, and his unique discerning eye has quietly influenced contemporary aesthetics of living. In recent years, his sensibilities and work have been attracting renewed attention.

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