Kyo-butsugu/Buddhist Objects: Kazuya Nanjo (Nanjo Kobo Ltd.)

For 19 years, I have worked as a metal casting artisan at the only Japanese studio that specialises in creating Buddhist and Shinto instruments with the use of techniques developed over our 180-year history. From creating the mold to the finishing touches, we make each and every instrument by hand, exclusively using a copper-tin alloy called sahari. To bring forth a truly unique sound, we utilise the special qualities of sahari produced with our studio's blending ratio, which has been passed down through the generations. 

 

In 2019, I launched LinNe, a brand of instruments made from sahari, in hopes of giving more people chances to enjoy the sound of orin bells in everyday life. Thus, I developed a line of orin that could be used for any purpose. Through other ventures like collaborating with and providing orin to sound artists and composers, as well as workshops at Apple Kyoto, I continue to introduce the sounds born of my studio to the world.

Profile

1979 Born in Kyoto City

1997 Graduated high school and began working at a restaurant in hopes

          of becoming a chef

2003 Joined Nanjo Kobo

2011 Became a  Certified Kyoto Traditional Products Craftsman  (Kyo-

          butsugu)

2019 Launched LinNe, a line of bells made from sahari