DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

Rumoi, Hokkaido

What does design mean to you?

It's an expression of the direction you want to go in.

And when I work, I hope that what I'm doing benefits people.

Takeya visits Rumoi in Hokkaido.

Former Rumoi Saga Family Fishing Ground
A herring fishing facility, maintained as it was in the past.

What will Takeya spot first?

It's a decoration from a fishing boat.

Fantastic. It's perfectly preserved.

This carving decorated the side of a fishing boat.

It was created in the past by a boat builder.

I guess the carving shows the personality of its maker.

Yes. Boat builders would have known at a glance who made each one.

I love whirlpool motifs like this. Maybe it comes from my childhood.

Seeing this has just reminded me.

Whirlpool motifs have been used for centuries, so they feel ancient.

Takeya was born in Hokkaido. His father was a fisherman.

He loved ship decorations, and often incorporates them into his work.

A replica of a decorative design

This is the one we saw earlier.

It's a very Japanese pattern.

But it shows a flow, and rough spirit. Only a fisherman could have made it.

The herring industry flourished until the 1950s. Design motifs were common.

Takeya goes to see a large vessel for the first time.

Here it is.

It's impressive.

It's a herring fishing boat, built here in 1950.

It's a deep carving with strong contrast.

I wonder if that was the maker's style, or if there's another reason.

It gives off a real sense of determination.

The chisel marks are beautiful.

It has an appealing rough texture, rather than a delicate beauty.

This is a lot like where I grew up, so it feels very nostalgic.

The carved wood, and the flora and fauna I saw in my childhood.

I used that sort of thing as a foundation for my own work.

This is a great inspiration. It makes me want to create something.