Sleep on a Journey

Honma Kazuaki was born on Sado Island and apprenticed with the great bamboo artist, Hayashi Shogetsusai. He achieved success as an artist fairly early on in his career, but his health suffered from the demands of making exhibition work while supporting his family. He turned to establishing a commercial studio that employed numerous artisans making intricately carved bamboo brooches. That lucrative venture gave him the financial freedom to pursue his art. He won numerous prizes and was made a full member of the Nitten, the only living bamboo artists to receive the honor. A signature of his work is the use of hobichiku, a round sooted bamboo that curves beautifully for his sculptural works.