Background & Characteristics

With the recent worldwide demand for the SDGs and eco-friendliness, and as society changes, Mr. Kodera is using scrap and painting materials to create new works of art. He reuses many kinds of scrap materials, such as discarded wood, empty boxes, egg containers, and cardboard boxes. Using these materials, he creates many works that highlight the attractions of Akita. For example, he draws illustrations of hatahata fish, a specialty of Akita, on wooden boxes made from scrap wood and transforms the scrap wood into a single work of art. Among Japanese fans, he draws illustrations of the Namahage, which has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. This project aims to promote Akita by using and reducing scrap materials. He draws beautiful illustrations of local specialties and products in Akita, such as Namahage, Tsubaki, and Hatahata. He also aims to make others’ everyday lives brighter by creating new works of art and utilizing reusable materials, which means the rebirth of scrap wood as a world of art.

Pictures above: ©Teshigoto Akitabito, All Rights Reserved

Upcycling Arts: Arts that use scrap materials and promote eco-friendliness

Like Kibakoe, many types of eco-friendly art use scrap materials that are no longer used.

These crafts are called upcycling art. It is the practice of reusing recyclable waste to transform it from something unwanted into a creative stroke of genius. This can mean, for example, discarding empty bottles and bottle tops to create a sculpture or object, or using newspapers for collages or making a bouquet from paper scraps. 

One of the significant positive side effects of upcycling recyclable materials and the resulting reduction in landfill waste is a significant decrease in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. These emissions are incredibly harmful as they destroy our atmosphere. Landfills also have a detrimental effect on the environment and ecosystems, so fewer emissions mean a healthier environment.

The constant reuse and upcycling of recyclable materials into art also reduces energy consumption in the production of goods and products. This also reduces the use of new raw materials in the production process. Essentially, upcycled art and the reuse of materials lead to a more sustainable way of life ( from Greenpop. (2023, March 7). Upcycled Art – creativity meets sustainability. Greenpop.).

Examples of Upcycling Arts in Japan

• Scrap art produced by Nishitetsu

Nishitetsu Bus is a familiar bus in Fukuoka. Scrap art by Nishitetsu breathed new life into the Nishitetsu bus, presenting it as a work of art—the body of a disused bus, hand-cut and processed to millimeters. Finally, it was carefully made using the forging technique.  Seitetsu Body Technology Co., Ltd. is contributing to Fukuoka's town development and the creation of memories in car manufacturing. A professional involved in manufacturing domestic buses and familiar with bus structures cut the bus body by hand. Various mechanical devices are assembled based on metalwork. Sanmatsu Co., Ltd. is a manufacturing company based in Tsukushino City, Fukuoka. Laser cut of bus body by millimeter using Seitetsu body technology. Each attractive decoration is carefully handcrafted. MAio-108, a blacksmith and wood workshop in Tokyo that continues traditional Japanese technology, makes handmade art frames. Kyushu Metal Industry Co. is responsible for effectively using limited resources and realizing sustainable resource cycles that are indispensable for future generations. 100% recycled buses have been cut with Seitetsu body technology (from “Vehicle” to “Art.” SCRAP ART PRODUCED BY NISHITETSU [Buses don’t just run.], n.d.).

• Eco Art

Eco Art is a Japanese artists' organization that works to create a society full of art, where everyone can feel happy by recycling resources on Earth through art and by creating a planet rich in nature. Eco Art began with the idea of creating art that benefits both society and the global environment in response to the various social problems that exist in the world. Similar to Kibakoe in Akita, Eco Art provides people with an opportunity to consider social issues by presenting 2a33 artworks that are created by reusing waste materials. (from Eco Art. (n.d.).  About Eco Art. ).