We are pleased to announce an exhibition of metal artist Yuichi Takemata at AMAHARE.

The theme of this exhibition is "Traces of Life - Marking the Moments of Living -"

Beyond his renowned cutlery, Mr. Takemata creates a wide range of metal lifestyle tools that enrich various scenes of daily life, particularly in the dining and living room.

His works are designed to mark the passage of time alongside you, engraving memories into the fabric of your daily existence.

As we eagerly await the arrival of spring, we invite you to find the perfect pieces to prepare for a new chapter in your life.

 

◇ Exhibition Period
Friday, February 6 – Monday, February 16, 2026 *Closed on Wednesdays during the exhibition.

◇ Artist in Residence
Friday, February 6

◇ Venue
AMAHARE / @amahare_shirokanedai
5-5-2 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-3280-0766 info@amahare.jp

◇ Reservations
No reservations are required for this exhibition. Please feel free to visit at your convenience.

"ryo" and "NEW"

When it comes to Yuichi Takemata, his cutlery is undoubtedly the first thing that comes to mind.
Are you familiar with the differences between his two signature series, "ryo" and "NEW"?

"ryo" was born from a project to supervise the reproduction of cutlery originally made in Japan during the Meiji period. To preserve the dignified presence of that era, it is crafted from thick stainless steel, offering a substantial weight and a comfortable grip.

"NEW", on the other hand, is based on antique cutlery from Mr. Takemata’s personal collection. Compared to "ryo," it is thinner and features more elegant, refined lines.

The common thread between them is their exceptional compatibility with the vessels (utsuwa) of modern craft artists. When paired together, they elevate one another’s aesthetic value.

As a side note, the name "NEW" was originally just a working title used within Mr. Takemata’s studio. He shared with us a charming behind-the-scenes story, laughing as he recalled how it became the official product name before he even realized it.

Brass Hangers

These brass hangers feature graceful, fluid lines that appear as if drawn with a single, continuous stroke. Personally, I consider them a "hidden gem"—the true embodiment of the "simple is best" philosophy.

During the exhibition, these hangers will be displayed on a garment rack crafted from reclaimed wood by Norihisa Mizuta.

The shifting expression of the brass as it develops a patina over time will undoubtedly harmonize beautifully with the weathered, "wabi" aesthetic of Mr. Mizuta’s work.

Brass and Copper Tea Saucers

Inspired by the "rinka" (flower-petal) and "mokko" (quince) motifs, these tea saucers fill the heart with anticipation for the arrival of spring.

When paired with Yuichi Murakami’s "rinka" teacups, they create an even more radiant and elegant presentation, adding a touch of floral charm to your tea ritual.

Butterfly Sweets Picks

Featuring a delicate butterfly motif, these sweets picks are versatile enough for both daily use and formal tea ceremonies.
The elegant luster of pure silver creates a stunning contrast against the pristine white surfaces of Atsushi Funakushi’s vessels, resulting in a truly refined pairing.

Lampshades

Lampshades have long been a beloved staple at AMAHARE. For this exhibition, we are also debuting the specialized "Jizai"—adjustable suspension fittings designed specifically for these shades.

By fine-tuning the angle and height, they allow you to customize the soft expressions of light, bringing a gentle and atmospheric glow into your daily life.

Switch Covers

Enhancing the beauty of the everyday spaces where we casually reach for a switch.

Tea Baskets

Mr. Takemata creates tea boxes (chabako) and tea baskets (chakago) by pairing his own creations with antique tools he has meticulously gathered over the years.

Currently, a special "Tea Box Project"—a collaboration between Mr. Takemata and the various craft artists represented by AMAHARE—is quietly unfolding behind the scenes. We are working diligently on the preparations, with the hope of unveiling the results this coming spring.

Looking back, I feel that without our encounter with Mr. Takemata, AMAHARE might never have included metal cutlery in our collection. The primary reason I was so drawn to his work was, of course, its inherent beauty—but even more so, it was an intuitive feeling that if we were to pair metalwork with the pieces of our other craft artists, it simply had to be Mr. Takemata’s.

As our relationship has deepened over the years, so has our shared circle of close artist friends. I am filled with profound gratitude to be able to work together in this way. In this column, we have styled various scenes featuring works by artists who share a close bond with Mr. Takemata.

We look forward to welcoming you to the exhibition, where you can experience the world of Yuichi Takemata’s work firsthand.

photo / Yuka Yanazume @yuka_yanazume
text / Kenichi Kaneko @amahare_kaneko