Kenji Komatsubara

• Category
  Lacquerware
• Techniques
  Maki-e, Metal sheet inlay, Eggshell inlay, Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden), Dry lacquer
• Born
  1943 -
• Based in
  Okayama
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  

Style

Expressing the world of nature right close to us using one of the most gorgeous lacquerware techniques, hyomon, and eggshell inlays with makie.

Biography

• 1943
  Born in Tsurajima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
• 1981
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time (selected 18 times in total)
• 1982
  Established the Lacquerware "Garyukai" and becomes president
  Exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya (7 times in total)
• 1986
  Becomes Lacquerware Lecturer at the Sanyo Shimbun Culture Plaza
• 1991
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 1995
  Selected for the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time (selected 27 times in total)
• 2004
  Becomes Head of the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Lacquerware Department
• 2006
  Judge at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2008
  Becomes Executive Director of the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch
• 2014
  DVD "Hyomon - Kenji Komatsubara" made by the Okayama City Museum (Received the Excellence Award at the 13th National Board of Regional Visual Industry Associations Grand Prix)
• 2016
  Donated 71 pieces of artwork to the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
• 2017
  Published collection of works for his 50 years in lacquer art "Yushitu"
  Exhibition of artwork donated to the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art at the museum for one month
  Published pictorial record "Kenji Komatsubara's Techniques"
  Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon and Wooden Cup
  Donated 4 pieces of artwork to the Kurashiki City Art Museum
• 2018
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Achievement Award)
  Received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award
  Donated 8 pieces of artwork to Niimi Museum of Art

Awards

• 1989
  Received the Chūgoku Branch Manager Award at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1991
  Received the Tottori Governor Award at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2000
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the 43th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2017
  Received the Okayama Governor Award at the 60th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2019
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the 62nd Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2026
  Kaneshige Toyo Award, 69th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Public Collections

• Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Niimi Museum of Art