Mr. Hito (Instagram: edo_kyokugoma) was a disciple of the Hiroi Brothers, starting 50 years ago. He lives in Yurugawa, near Hanoke, two hours by car from Tokyo, a region famous for its traditional lathe wood work.
Xisco and Skye had a chance to turn some tops in one of his old lathes. A different experience because you are sitting in front (and perpendicular) to the lathe, place the tool from below and the wood is fixed to the lathe differenly.
Gianni got to buy some nice edokoma while I got some dificult to find kyuokoma.
In the afternoon we visited a completely different koma turner, just a 10 minute walk from the hotel. His workshop is just a converted garage, with no windows or air filtration. When I hit one of the low ceiling beams .
with a top, a cloud of sawdust rained down. However, at almost 81 years old he looks healthy as is still working hard. He mostly does custom wood work, but when he doesn't have orders he tuns kokeshi dolls and komas.
Both craftsmen will be selling at the event.
