Teiji Miyamoto

About the Artist

Using Techniques of Woodwork Fully to Produce His Artwork

Woodwork artist Teiji Miyamoto was designated as Living National Treasure for woodwork in 2023. He studied under Kenkichi Kuroda (eldest son of Tatsuaki Kuroda) at the age of 20, and after 10 years of training, he became independent at the age of 30 and established his studio in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. He received many awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition etc. and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a medal awarded to those who have made achievements in the art field, in 2013. Miyamoto is known for his carvings with flowing lines that remind us of waves. He says he has been inspired by the waves that form after the boats in Lake Biwa. He uses wood joinery techniques where no nails etc. are used to join the wood parts, hollowing techniques where vessels are hand carved and hollowed from a block of wood, wiped urushi to bring out the wood grain beautifully, and carvings to form ridgelines. With his outstanding skills, he makes artwork that bring out the characters of the wood to the most.

Style

Creating woodwork using wood joinery and hollowing techniques. The way the ridge lines on the surface of the artwork look changes by the lighting, the shine of the wiped lacquer and the viewing angle, showing different expressions of the artwork.

Biography

• 1953
  Born in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
• 1973
  Studied under Kenkichi Kuroda
• 1984
  Became independent
  Built a studio in Kosei, Shiga Prefecture
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 1986
  Artwork submitted to the Kyoto Kōgei Art Exhibition purchased by Kyoto Prefecture
• 1988
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 1997
  Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
  Received the 7th Shumei Culture Foundation Prize
• 2004
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Shiga Prefecture
• 2005
  Solo Exhibition at Nagoya Matsuzakaya Main Store
• 2012
  Received the Shiga Prefecture Cultural Award
• 2013
  Becomes Professor at Kyoto University of Arts and Crafts
  Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
• 2023
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for "Woodwork"

Awards

• 1985
  Received the Nikkei Inc. Award at the 14th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1986
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Kinki Branch Manager Award at the 15th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1987
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 16th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Grand Award at the Kyoto Kōgei Art Exhibition
• 1990
  Received the Grand Master Hounsai Sen Soshitsu Incentive Award at the "Tea Ceremony Art for Tomorrow” Exhibition
• 1991
  Received the Kyoto Shimbun Award at the 20th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1995
  Received the Kinki Traditional Kōgei Award at the 24th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 42th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2010)
• 1996
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 7th Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1998
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the 8th Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2000)
• 2000
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the 9th Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2003
  Received the 50th Anniversary Award at the 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2009
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the 12th Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2010
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 57th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award at the 59th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2014
  Received the Ohtsu City Special Cultural Award