歴史と文化の宝庫「京都」は伝統産業と最先端の産業が両立している都市です。京都の歴史と風土に育てられ、先人から受け継いだ「京壁」を次世代へ大切に継承したい。その想いで昔ながらの材料・技法にこだわり、現場に取り組んでいます。
しかし伝統は、文化財としてそのまま残すことも大切ですが、その時代の生活に溶け込み、進化し続けることも大切だと思っています。京壁の技術を１００年後にも博物館ではなく、生活に密着したものとして受け継ぐために、必要に応じ現代の知識と技術をプラスさせる新たな物つくりを目指して日々精進しております。
その想いを“京コテ壁”として表現していきたいと思います。
Sublimating Kyokabe by combining current knowledge and techniques to the history and tradition
Kyokabe + current knowledge and techniques → Kyokotekabe (Kyoto trowel wall)
Kyoto is said to be the central city of history and culture where both traditional and modern industry exists simultaneously. Developed in this environment, we inherited Kyokabe from our ancestors. We do our work using the traditional materials and techniques so we can continue to pass down the tradition to the next generations.
Although we believe that passing it down as a traditional heritage is important, we also believe that it is important for Kyokabe to keep evolving and harmonize with the modern life styles. By implementing modern knowledge and techniques to the tradition as necessary, even in 100years from today, we want the techniques of Kyokabe to be very close to the daily living and not in a museum as a display.
And so, we express those beliefs combined as Kyokotekabe.
土壁は城や寺社仏閣さらには町家にも凛として素朴な空気を吹き込みます。京都はこれらの壁に理想的な土に恵まれた地であり、左官職人たちは何世紀にもわたりこの都にふさわしい壁を作るために技術を洗練させてきました。下記はNHK国際放送 NHK WORLD TV『Core Kyoto』にて弊社代表 田中昭義が紹介されました。土壁の魅力を追求する伝統的な左官の技術、表現力をご覧ください。
Core Kyoto 『京壁〜雅なす 土のしたて〜／Kyoto Walls: Elegance Molded from Earth』 2016.07.07（NHK WORLD TV）
The ancient capital’s dignified air of yesteryear is in part generated by earthen walls: the walls of the imperial palace, shrines, temples and even private properties. Earthen walls imbue tea houses with a rustic air. Kyoto is blessed with soil of a color ideal for these walls. Plasterers over centuries developed and refined their technique to produce walls befitting a capital. Discover the aesthetic sensibilities and expertise of traditional plasterers as they pursue beauty in earthen walls.
無数に近い素材の中から産地を問わず、その現場にベストな材料を選ぶ。土や石灰など無垢な自然素材を使い昔ながらの手順で時間と手間をかけ材料をつくることにこだわり、見かけだけでなく機能的で丈夫なその場に適した壁を提供していきます。自然素材で創り上げた「壁」が見せるその表情には二つとして同じものはありません。
自然豊かな日本に生まれ、その自然と共存しながら受け継がれてきた左官。土・ワラ・水…自然界にあるものを少しずつ分けてもらい自然のままに練って塗る。左官の壁は呼吸をし、温度や湿度を自動的に調整し、結露を防止し、カビやダニの発生も抑えます。高温多湿の日本の風土に順応した技術です。
Characteristics 1 〈Materials〉
Soil’s infinite expression, two are NEVER the same
By selecting the best materials like soil and lime from nearly infinite choices not bounded to its area of collection, we are determined to carefully make the base mix through the traditional processes. Those materials create not only the looks of the finish, but also the function and durability that best matches to each environment. These “Walls” created by these natural materials never have the same expression.
Distinctive function and gentleness of natural materials
Sakan(Japanese plastering) was born in nature rich country of Japan. It has been coexisting with that nature and was succeeded for generations. Many materials used for Sakan such as soil, straw, and water are shared from nature to de mixed and plastered as they naturally exist. The Sakan walls breath, control temperature, control humidity, prevent condensation, and even resist molds and ticks. These techniques of Sakan are created to best match the temperature and humid climate of Japan.
墨出し、下塗り、中塗り、上塗り…、何度も塗って乾かし、また塗って…。その材料、その現場にあった工法で手間をかけ塗り重ねていきます。
塗壁の材料はほとんど自然素材であるため品質が一定ではありません。季節や風土によって変わる材料を長年受け継がれてきた先人たちの技術と知恵に、自分の経験をプラスし一つ一つ気持ちを入れて仕上げていきます。
Characteristics 2 〈Processes〉
Marking the bases, plastering the base layer, mid layer, top layer… the repetition of plastering and drying… We make efforts on adjusting the layering process to best match each environment.
Because plastering materials are composed mostly of natural materials, the condition and the quality are never stable. Using the materials that change its properties depending on the seasons and climates requires us to put our heart into every work. To create the final finishes, the process requires us to combine our experiences with the techniques and the knowledge succeeded for generations.
昔ながらの鏝、現代の鏝…数百本の鏝から、その壁のために選ばれた鏝で。
鏝のほとんどが、自分の手の大きさ、好みに合わして作られたオーダーメードです。そして使い込むことで、さらに自分の手に合う鏝に育ちます。
Characteristics 3 〈Trowels〉
Traditional trowels, modern trowels, selecting the trowels from hundreds of choices that best suited for each wall.
Almost all trowels are custom made to match each craftsman’s hand sizes and preferences. Every time those trowels are worked with, they become a better fit for the craftsman’s hands.