Ogatsu Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall

A facility that conveys the traditions and culture of Ogatsu inkstones, which have been preserved since ancient times, to future generations as a symbol of reconstruction.

  • Cultural Spaces
  • The Beauty of Stone: Calligraphy that quietly floats and disappears floats in the exhibition room, and countless words rise to the sky. The spatial composition is conscious of the continuity of beauty that connects the inkstone craft to the calligraphy of culture.

  • Inkstone Wall: An introductory exhibit in which 200 inkstones of various shapes cover the space, inviting visitors into the world of inkstones.

    Inkstone Wall: An introductory exhibit in which 200 inkstones of various shapes cover the space, inviting visitors into the world of inkstones.

  • Ogatsu and Stone: A story-driven design in which basic information about inkstones is displayed on a wall from a touch monitor modeled after an inkstone

    Ogatsu and Stone: A story-driven design in which basic information about inkstones is displayed on a wall from a touch monitor modeled after an inkstone

  • Signs made from Ogatsu stone: A design that combines the solid feel of the stone surface with the light beauty of the typeface

    Signs made from Ogatsu stone: A design that combines the solid feel of the stone surface with the light beauty of the typeface

  • Caption: The raw Ogatsu stone was mined, cut into the stone by hand by an inkstone craftsman, and then finished with ink in the same way as an inkstone.

    Caption: The raw Ogatsu stone was mined, cut into the stone by hand by an inkstone craftsman, and then finished with ink in the same way as an inkstone.

  • Ogatsu Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall
  • Inkstone Wall: An introductory exhibit in which 200 inkstones of various shapes cover the space, inviting visitors into the world of inkstones.
  • Ogatsu and Stone: A story-driven design in which basic information about inkstones is displayed on a wall from a touch monitor modeled after an inkstone
  • Signs made from Ogatsu stone: A design that combines the solid feel of the stone surface with the light beauty of the typeface
  • Caption: The raw Ogatsu stone was mined, cut into the stone by hand by an inkstone craftsman, and then finished with ink in the same way as an inkstone.

Photo by Yuriko Tsuchida

About the Project

Overview This facility conveys the tradition and culture of Ogatsu Inkstones, a nationally designated traditional craft, and was built as a new relocation of the former Ogatsu Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall, which was devastated in the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. It was intended to be a symbol of the reconstruction and a base for attracting visitors to the new Ogatsu area.
Issues/Themes To pass on to future generations the traditions and culture of Ogatsu inkstones, which have been preserved in the Ogatsu area since ancient times, and to spread the appeal and new possibilities of Ogatsu stone.
Space Solution/Realization The facility, once lost in a disaster, has been revived as a work of beauty that combines the timeless solidity of Ogatsu stone with the lightness of calligraphy culture. The continuity of beauty woven by crafts and culture is expressed through the numerous inkstones displayed in the space and Video circulating around the room and rising to the sky.

Basic Information

Client Ishinomaki City
Services Provided Display Planning, Design, Layout, Production, Construction
Our Team Design, Layout: Shunpei Hashimoto, Daisuke Inoue
Project Management: Kotaro Echizen
Production, Construction: Takahiro Iikawa
Awards "KUKAN DESIGN AWARD 2020" Museum/ Cultural Spaces Bronze Award
"39th Display Industry Award (2020)" Display Industry Encouragement Award (Japan Display Industry Association Award)
Location Miyagi Prefecture
Open June 2020
Website https://www.city.ishinomaki.lg.jp/index.html
Tag
Shunpei Hashimoto

Design, Layout

Shunpei Hashimoto

He focuses on enhancing the meaning and value of spatial design by engaging with the local community and unearthing cultural contexts, and mainly works on museums and archives.

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.