保 HO (Protect), 2022, from 春縄 HARU-NAWA (Spring Rope) series by Kentaro Takashina.

A box made from white oak, ink and milk paint with hardwax oil finish. H. 4.5” x W. 7”. Stamped.

The NAWA (縄) from the series title, or “Rope”, ties together three human elements - heart (mirror), body (box) and mind (bowl). In Shinto, the shimenawa (しめ縄) rope is often found protecting sacred places and elements in nature such as shrines, trees and boulders. They are thought to attract and protect the presence of the Kami (神), or gods, while also warding off illness and evil.

Kentaro Takashina, B 1980, Osaka, Japan). As a furniture maker, he creates one-of-a-kind pieces using strip lamination and cold-molding: techniques historically used to create curved shapes in the wood used for boats and planes. He draws inspiration from his upbringing and experiences of being intimately exposed to Eastern and Western cultures and aesthetics. Takashina is a former studio assistant of Martin Puryear.

Recent Exhibitions:

Group show Art + Nature + Home, Catskill, NY 2021. Group show Citizen, D-Day Studio, Woodstock, NY 2020. Group show Old & New Netsuke D-Day Studio, Woodstock, NY 2020.

Customs size avail upon request. 6-8 week lead time.

SHIPPING: Upstate Diary (UD) will arrange shipping via the artist’s preferred carriers and all shipping costs will be charged separately. If the customer chooses to manage their own delivery, UD must be notified of the details in advance. Buyers will be contacted after check out to make arrangements.