Tomoko Eri

• 1972
  Born in Kyoto
• 1992
  Graduated from Kyoto College of Art, Art major, Japanese painting course
• 1994
  Completed the Japanese painting advanced course at Kyoto College of Art
  Studied under her mother, Sayoko Eri, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for kirikane cut foil embellishing
• 2011
  Selected for the 58th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 2012
  Selected for the 47th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 2015
  Selected for the 25th Other Crafts Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
  "Methods of Rimpa – Sotetsu Nakamura, Mikiko Hayashi, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Kyoto Takashimaya)
  Tomoko Eri Kirikane Exhibition (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo)
• 2017
  The 26th Other Crafts Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  ”Kyoto Style – Sotetsu Nakamura, Mikiko Hayashi, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Kyoto Takashimaya)
  "Successors of Traditional Techniques – Glass / Kirikane – Satoshi Ishida, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo)
• 2018
  ”Kyoto Style – Sotetsu Nakamura, Mikiko Hayashi, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Kyoto Takashimaya)
• 2019
  Tomoko Eri Kirikane Exhibition (Kyoto Takashimaya)
  Tomoko Eri Kirikane Exhibition (Osaka Takashimaya)
• 2020
  ”Kyo Saijiki – Sotetsu Nakamura, Mikiko Hayashi, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Kyoto Takashimaya)
  "Successors of Traditional Techniques – Glass / Kirikane – Satoshi Ishida, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo)
  Selected for "Kōgei 2020 - The Art of Crafting Beauty from Nature" (Tokyo National Museum Hyokeikan)
• 2021
  ”Kyo Saijiki – Sotetsu Nakamura, Mikiko Hayashi, Tomoko Eri Exhibition" (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo)
  Tomoko Eri Kirikane Exhibition (Kyoto Takashimaya)
  Selected for "Greater Depth and Evolution: An Exhibition of the Expanding World of Traditional Crafts" sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo)

Brilliant techniques born from Buddhist art

Kirikane is a technique for mainly decorating Buddha statues and Buddhist paintings. It was introduced to Japan from China around the 6th century together with Buddhism. Tomoko Eri has engaged in decorating Buddha statues herself, but at the same time, she has been using Kirikane techniques that haven't changed for more than 1000 years in her modern artwork. Her elaborate and delicate works of art have been highly evaluated, receiving the New Artist Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2011 and being selected for other various art exhibitions. Following her late mother and Living National Treasure, Sayoko Eri's last wishes, she is currently trying to sublimate traditional Kirikane into artwork that blends with the modern world.

• 2011
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the 58th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2013
  Received the Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Award at the 48th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2019
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 27th Other Crafts Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 54th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2020
  Kyoto Cultural Award Incentive Award
• 2021
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association West Japan Branch Manager Award at the 55th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2022
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association West Japan Branch Manager Award at the 56th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

• Official Site