Tajika

Nalata Nalata is pleased to present an exhibition of handcrafted scissors and shears by the Japanese atelier, Tajika. The event presents an opportunity to view their full collection of scissors, many of which are currently in production, along with rarely seen archived styles. Over 80 different types of scissors will be on display, including diagrams that depict the making process. 

The scissor trade requires the skills of ingenious artisans. One pair may take up to thirty stages in the production process, the principal of which are forging the scissors from a steel rod of suitable size, filing or ornamenting the shanks and bows, grinding and assembling, which includes screw-making, setting, and ensuring the scissors meet evenly together, and whetting. Forging is the most difficult to learn, requiring years of practice to create a simple pair of scissors with precision.

As a family-run company, Tajika has passed down their expertise for years, slowly mastering the production of specialized cutting tools. Daisuke Tajika has honed the rare artistry and now bears the responsibility of continuing the evolution of his family’s company as the fourth-generation owner.

Due to their ubiquity across cultures and professions, scissors have numerous representations across the world. Tajika’s interpretations include various scissors and shears for gardening, cooking, and sewing, to name a few. It goes without saying that the company has been left in good hands as Daisuke Tajika continues to carry forward the inventiveness that rests at the core of each pair of scissors.

To coincide with the opening, we will be introducing a collaboratively designed series of scissors created with Tajika, the Small Blackened Household Scissors and the Large Blackened Household Scissors. Their shapes are based on the beloved Copper and Black finished versions that we have long used in our gallery to wrap gifts. We were also inspired by the “Kuro-Mura” blackened brass pendants by Futagami because of the way they age over time, taking on a patina that is a very deep, saturated black. Interested in creating a similar richness in colour, we decided to work with Daisuke to produce a pair of everyday scissors with the same principles.

On the evening of Friday, October 21st, we will be celebrating the official launch of the one-week exhibition. Specialty tools and machines used in the crafting of each pair will be brought from Japan to further explain the intricate steps involved in forging and aligning the blades. Join us on this special evening as we welcome the atelier’s fourth generation owner, Daisuke Tajika, to New York City for his first international exhibition.

Refreshments will be provided by Ayako Kurokawa of Burrow.

Explore our studio visit with Tajika here.

View a recap of the event here.