• Toshiaki is a third-generation straw marquetry artist at Kamiya Mingeiten, the family workshop
• He is based in Kinosaki Onsen, Japan’s sole hub for straw craft
• He hosts workshop experiences to introduce visitors to this endangered craft

Toshiaki Kamiya learned straw marquetry from his father, a second-generation master artisan. As a child, he created his first piece as a gift for a teacher, though it was not until his mid-twenties that he focused on the craft as a professional practice. After his father was no longer able to work, Toshiaki left his profession in Kyoto to become the third generation dedicated to preserving the endangered traditional Japanese craft. His works seek to evolve straw marquetry beyond traditional forms. “For a long time, I only made boxes. The patterns were limited,” Toshiaki explains. “I now create pieces that can be hung on a wall and used as decoration, and I hope people see the beauty in those, too.” Today, his creations combine traditional patterns with variations in colour and technique.