組子細工職人　岩本大輔さん
Kumiko craftsman Daisuke Iwamoto

　高知市の組子細工作職人、土佐組子代表・岩本大輔さん。建具屋・岩本木工の長男として生まれた岩本さん。高校卒業後に家業に入り仕事をしているうちに建具の世界で最も難しいとされる組子細工の技術を習得したいと考え、宮城の職人のもとで修業。東日本大震災のため1年で帰郷した後、建具の仕事をしながら組子細工の技術を磨きました。
しかし、現代では組子細工を建築物に取り入れることが少なくなっており、建具以外の新しい提案が必要と考え「土佐組子」を設立。酒造やワイナリーと組んだギフト用の箱や、名刺入れ、時計など身近な商品開発に取り組みます。
　その後、建築家の隈研吾氏らとの出会いを経て、組子細工の奥深い世界を追求、作家性の高い職人として認められるようになっていきます。
　岩本さんが大事にしている「伝統と革新」。伝統をベースに、時代に合わせた革新を。その先に高知の組子細工の未来を見据えています。50年後に高知の伝統工芸として認定されることを目指して、岩本さんの新しいものへの挑戦は続きます。

Daisuke Iwamoto, representative of Tosa Kumiko and master craftsman of kumiko woodwork in Kochi City. Born as the eldest son of Iwamoto Mokko, a joinery shop, Mr. Iwamoto entered the family business after graduating from high school. While working there, he decided he wanted to master the art of kumiko woodwork, considered the most difficult technique in the joinery world, and apprenticed under a craftsman in Miyagi. After returning home a year later due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, he continued to hone his kumiko woodwork skills while working in joinery.
However, in modern times, kumiko woodwork is rarely incorporated into buildings, so he felt the need for new proposals beyond traditional joinery and established "Tosa Kumiko." He has been developing everyday products such as gift boxes in collaboration with sake breweries and wineries, as well as business card cases and clocks.

Following encounters with architects like Kengo Kuma, he delved deeper into the intricate world of kumiko woodwork, eventually gaining recognition as a craftsman with a high level of artistic expression.
Iwamoto values the balance between "tradition and innovation." Rooted in tradition, he seeks innovation tailored to the times. Looking ahead, he envisions the future of Kochi's kumiko woodwork. Aiming for recognition as a traditional craft of Kochi in 50 years, Iwamoto's pursuit of new challenges continues.

写真＝河上展儀
Photo by Kawakami Nobuyoshi