Kazuo Yamagishi

• 1954
  Born in Wajima, Ishikawa
• 1973
  Studies under Bunjiro Fukumitsu
• 1976
  Selected for the first time for the 23rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1993
  Produced sacred treasure for Ise Jingu's Shikinen Sengu (constructing a new divine place every 20 years)
• 2005
  Evaluator at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (3 times from this time onward)
• 2012
  Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
  Primary judge at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (also in 2017)
• 2012
  Produced sacred treasure for Ise Jingu's Shikinen Sengu
• 2014
  Submitted to the "From Crafts to KOGEI" Exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  Submitted to Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition held at MoA Museum of Art
• 2017
  Produced the sacred pillar for the Sanshu-den (assembly hall) of Yokohama Iseyama Kotai Jingu
• 2018
  Submitted to the 35th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Anniversary Exhibition"URUSHI Tradition and Innovation"
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for gold-inlaid lacquerware
• 2019
  Dedicated tray with design in chinkoku and inlay "Distant" to Jingu Art Museum
• 2020
  Produced monument "For a Short While" for the Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal

Expanding the Charm of Lacquerware with Sophisticated Chinkin (Gold Inlay) Techniques

Kazuo Yamagishi works at his studio in Wajima, an area famous for production of lacquerware. He was designated as Living National Treasure for his "Chinkin" techniques, which is inlaying gold powder into the grooves carved on the lacquered surface. The delicate and thin patterns that are barely visible, and the effective lines are all carved by hand. His excellent techniques and artistic expressions are highly evaluated, and in 2005, he received the Praemium Imperiale Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artists in Japan gather. He also made a sacred treasure for the Shikinen Sengu (construction of a new shrine) at Ise Jingu. His artwork, using natural motifs of Wajima and created with rich sensibility, charms people of all generations.

• 1987
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1988
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Artwork added to KIBUN Collection
• 1989
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1991
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Artwork added to KIBUN Collection
• 1996
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1999
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2003
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei hibition
• 2005
  Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Artwork added to the collection of Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
• 2007
  Received the 25th Anniversary Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2010
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Artwork added to the collection of Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
• 2014
  Received the NHK Kanazawa Broadcast Station Manager Award at the Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2016
  Received the NHK Chairman's Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Artwork added to the collection of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
• 2018
  Received the Hokkoku Cultural Award

• National Crafts Museum
• Jingu Art Museum
• Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
• Ishikawa Nanao Art Museum
• Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
• Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal
• Yokohama Iseyama Kotai Jingu
• University of Toyama
• KIBUN Collection