Ryozo Kawagita

1935

Born in Nakayama-onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture

1950

Studied lathe techniques under his father KAWAKITA Koichi

1962

Selected for the 9th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition on the first attempt. Selected 51 times to date

1964

Full member, Japan Kogei Association

1965

Award candidate at the 12th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition

1988

Produced tea ceremony utensils using wood from the old sal tree planted by Sen no Rikyu that was preserved at the Juko-in of Daitokuji

1990

Produced the “Sacred Treasure Rokurobako” for the Shikinen Sengu Ceremony in Ise Jingu

1993

His work was offered as a gift to the Crown Prince by Ishikawa Prefecture

1994

Produced tea ceremony utensils using wood from old materials of the small chamber at Myoshinji, Kyoto

1994

Designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder

1995

Shirayama Hime Shrine “Shinboku, Keyakizukuri Jikiro” presented to the Ise Jingu Museum

1996

His work “Keyakizukuri Bon” at Futamata Honsenji in Kanazawa was purchased by Kanazawa City

1997

POLA Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Japanese Culture
Completed the “Bringing a Tree Back to Life – Kawakita Ryozo’s Woodwork Crafts”, a MEXT Special Selection Movie

1998

Produced the Heian Jingu Shrine “Kenko Kenchashiki Natsume Kinindai” at the Hanshin Department Store

1999

Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon

2004

Published the “Living with Trees, Giving Life to Trees” in July
Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon at the Autumn Conferment of Decorations

2008

Produced the “Sacred Treasure Rokurobako” for the Shikinen Sengu Ceremony in Ise Jingu

2009

Produced a memorial piece using old materials from the Mieido at Honganji

Judge at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
Jury member at the Contemporary Art Exhibition
Judge at the Japanese Traditional Bamboo and Wood Exhibition
Jury member Japan Traditional Art Crafts Shikoku Branch Exhibition
5 purchases by the Agency of Cultural Affairs
4 purchases by the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
Councillor at Japan Kogei Association
Councillor at the Ishikawa Prefectural Artistic and Cultural Association
Senior lecturer at the Ishikawa Prefectural Institute of Wajima Lacquer Arts
Guest professor at the Kanazawa College of Art
Part-time lecturer at Kanazawa University
Chairman of the Yamanaka Lacquerware Lathe Techniques Preservation Society
Chairman of the Kaga City Art Association
Director of the Yamanaka Lathe Technique Training Center
Ishikawa Lathe Technique Institute
Designated as an Honorary Citizen (First) of the former Yamanaka Town (2003)

1966

Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 13th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition

1967

Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 14th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition

1978

Received the Ishikawa Television Broadcasting Award and the 32nd Hokkoku Cultural Award

1986

Received the Ishikawa Television Broadcasting Award

1987

Received the Governor of Tokyo Prize (Grand Prize) at the Japan Flower and Tea Accessories Art Crafts Exhibition

1991

Received the Ishikawa Cultural Promotion Incentive Award

1992

Received a commendation from Yamanaka Town for Distinguished Service in Industry

1995

Received the Ishikawa Cultural Promotion Incentive Award
Received the Chunichi Cultural Award

1997

Received the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award at the 41st Japan Introductory Movie Videos Competition

Received the Grand Prize at the Technical Award at the Contemporary Art Exhibition

Received the Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder’s Prize twice

Received the Japan Kogei Association Award twice at the Traditional Bamboo and Wood Exhibition