TAI Gallery / Textile Arts represents over 30 Japanese bamboo artists. Most of these artists belong to one of two professional associations although a few are independent. The Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) emphasizes art and sculptural beauty. The Nihon Kogeikai (Japan Craft Arts Association) emphasizes beauty in functional form and technical excellency. The Kogeikai works with the Agency for Cultural Affairs in the selection of craft artists to be named as Living National Treasures of Japan. Some established artists choose to not be associated with a professional association. Young artists who have not yet joined an association are also included in this group.

More information on the professional associations and many of the artists represented by TAI Gallery / Textile Arts can be found in Robert T. Coffland's book, Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Arts, available from Paragon Books and Amazon.com.

See also our visual presentation of the plaiting techniques, artists' signatures, and bamboo materials used in the craft of bamboo arts: Bamboo Arts Appendix.

CNN did a "Style" piece on Japanese bamboo art featuring several of our artists; here it is, with streaming video.

Click on thumbnails below for full image and artist's bio.

Nitten
(Japan Fine Arts Exhibition)

There are now less than a hundred working bamboo artists in Japan. The young people who have taken up the call to learn bamboo basket making make a commitment of time that is hard for us as Westerners to comprehend. The first ten years are devoted to learning the basic techniques of cutting, dyeing, and plaiting bamboo. After this is mastered, another one or two decades are spent developing as an artist. Artists begin to gain full recognition as they come into their fifties and sixties. There are a number of basket makers who are still working in their eighties. It is an honor for our gallery to represent some of the top living bamboo artists of Japan.

Don't miss our visual presentation of the plaiting techniques, artist's signatures, and bamboo materials used in the craft of bamboo arts: Bamboo Arts Appendix.

The price for contemporary and antique bamboo baskets ranges from $1,200 to $16,000 and up for major exhibition pieces. A bamboo basket or sculpture made for exhibition involves anywhere from three to six months of work by the artist.

Examples of the work produced by the artists that TAI Gallery represents are featured on this page.
We are constantly receiving new pieces so it is best to contact the gallery by telephone or e-mail.