Shunsuke Wada
Creating stories through craftsmanship — wa-bori chōkin carried forward in Takaoka.
Creating stories through craftsmanship
Wada Chōkin Workshop operates under the catchphrase 'Creating stories through craftsmanship', leveraging traditional techniques cultivated over many years, design expertise, and planning capabilities to create products and works imbued with deep meaning.
What I value most is not mere metalworking, but giving form to the 'Stories' embedded within. While bearing the weight of history, I constantly challenge ourselves in new fields, using various techniques including wa-bori chōkin (Japanese-style metal engraving) with tagane (chisels) to carve customers' thoughts, history, and Japanese aesthetic sensibilities into metal—a material that endures through time—delivering works that continue to shine across the ages.
Wa-bori Chōkin Techniques
Born into a family that has made chōkin (metal engraving) their livelihood for four generations, I learned wa-bori chōkin techniques from my father and grandfather. Wa-bori chōkin is a uniquely Japanese sculptural technique that decorates metal using tagane and hammers.
By meticulously controlling line thickness, depth, and light reflection on metal surfaces, it creates a distinctive expression that combines both grandeur and delicacy. Through tagane techniques passed down for over 100 years and the sensitivity to bring out material characteristics, I imbue motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and seasonal flowers and birds with both strength and elegance.
Collaboration
Based on traditional wa-bori chōkin methods, I challenge diverse expressions by combining design creation and prototype production using 3D data. By utilizing not only my own capabilities but also networks of local craftsmen, my expressive possibilities expand infinitely.
I strongly emphasize combining not just techniques, but also cultures such as musical instruments, knives, anime, games, and professional wrestling. Through active collaboration with diverse creators and companies, I engage in fantastical and distinctive craftsmanship where tradition and contemporary culture resonate together.
Design and Narrative
Craftsmanship begins with contemplating the worldview and stories embedded in motifs. Traditional Japanese motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and seasonal flowers and birds each carry stories and symbolic meanings passed down through generations. These live not only in temple decorations and Buddhist implements but also breathe life into contemporary anime and games, forming Japan's unique worldview.
I cherish the backgrounds of these motifs and decorative cultures, carefully creating designs that utilize their narrative qualities. Through design-making that connects tradition and modernity, I weave Japanese aesthetic sensibilities toward the future.
Aspirations
My goal is to continue creating works that move people's hearts while preserving tradition and adapting to changing times.
When viewing 'Majestic Temples' or 'Passionate Festival Decorations', there are moments that make us exclaim 'Wow!' and stir my hearts. By refining my inherited techniques and sensibilities, I would be delighted to share Japanese decorative craft culture with the world and widely communicate its appeal.
My History
While attending Tokyo University of Technology, won the Excellence Award at the Akatsuka Fujio Gag Video Awards (screenplay and direction)
Worked at a major game development company, responsible for video planning, production, and editing for gaming machines
Returned to Takaoka City and worked at Wada Carving Workshop
Participated as an official guest at OTAKON held in Washington DC, USA
Won the Silver Award in the Craft Design Division of the Anime Manufacturing Award (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann May Doll Helmet Decoration)
President of Takaoka Traditional Industry Youth Association
Recognized as an excellent craftsman carrying on Takaoka's traditional crafts
Appointed as special advisor by the Content Business Strategy Committee of Otsuchi Town Tourism Exchange Association
Advisor to the Arts and Crafts Club of the 'Numa-katsu!' project
Provided works to 'Massuru 6' as a collaboration between traditional crafts and professional wrestling
Participated in 'J-STARX Regional Entrepreneur Course', a startup development program by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Held in regard.
Marks of esteem from those who know the craft best.
Silver Award, Craft Design Division — Anime Manufacturing Award
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann May Doll helmet decoration- 2004
Excellence Award — Akatsuka Fujio Gag Video Awards
Screenplay and direction