Takashi Tomono

• 1983
  Born in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture
• 2001
  Joined Monmaya Co., Ltd and started lacquering Sendai Tansu (chest of drawers)
• 2006
  Established a society to pass down the tradition of Sendai Tansu
• 2013
  Graduated from the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center, Lacquering Course
  Studied under Kunie Komori
• 2015
  ”Lacquerware, Bowls and Vessels Made by Artists" Exhibition (Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store) (– 2019)
• 2017
  Becomes independent
  "A Drop of Urushi Lacquer" Kunie Komori School Exhibition (JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery) (2019, 2021, 2023)
• 2019
  "Living Kogei: Contemporary Japanese Craft from the Ise Collection" (University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong)
• 2021
  "A Drop of Urushi Lacquer" School of Living National Treasure Kunie Komori Exhibition (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store)
  The 5th First Patronage Program (3331 Arts Chiyoda)
• 2022
  Submitted to "The Beauty of Crafts – Metal and Urushi Lacquer –" Exhibition (Ise Foods Inc.,)
  "Urushi - Takashi Tomono, Tomomi Isaka Exhibition" (Gallery Okariya)
• 2023
  "Takashi Tomono Lacquer Art Exhibition" (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store)
  "Shippu Doto – Lacquer Art Today" Exhibition (Wajima Museum of Urushi Art)

My specialty is "lacquering", which is the whole process of applying urushi lacquer. I put emphasis on the beauty of the form and do not add much decoration.
As I consider what is being placed on the vessel to be the main character, I try to make artwork that makes the food stand out and is easy to use, especially for lacquerware such as soup bowls that are used in everyday life.
For one-and-only pieces, I think about the atmosphere it will create and use things that cannot be seen, such as the wind and light, as motifs for my designs so that people can use their imagination in the plain lacquered vessel.
I consider urushi lacquer as a combination of blessings from the mountains and affection of people.
I would like to make artwork that is traditional but new by giving my full attention to the material and bringing out the original beauty of urushi lacquer.

A Peaceful World of Red and Black

Lacquerware artist Takashi Tomono graduated from the Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center where many lacquerware artists study, and then studied under Living National Treasure Kunie Komori. Tomono has been awarded several times since his first award in 2015, the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level lacquerware artists gather, and received the grand award, MEXT Award, at the 41st Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition this year. His artwork is known for the glossy texture of urushi lacquer and the color contrast of red and black. He succeeds the tradition of urushi lacquer that has been passed down for generations in Japan. The young artist, creating lacquerware to convey the charm of lacquer art to the next generation, is gathering much attention.

• 2015
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 32nd Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (selected several times from this year onward)
• 2020
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 60th East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (selected several times from this year onward)
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 67th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (selected several times from this year onward)
• 2023
  Received the Nagano Kōgei Association President's Award at the 42nd Nagano Craft Exhibition
• 2024
  Received the MEXT Award at the 41st Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

• Ise Foundation

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