Saeko Nakano

Style

I produce my artwork by applying kirikane to the wooden base formed on a lathe. The wooden bases are made by my husband, Nobuhito. I don't color the wood as I use dark colored wood such as red sandalwood, mulberry, Japanese zelkova and persimmon-wood. I try to make the most of the form and original color of the wooden base. I try to make artwork that can only be made with kirikane by mixing straight and curved gold leaf and adding some movement by changing the density and amount of gold leaf.

Biography

• 1980
  Graduated from Tokyo Woman's Christian University
• 1984
  Learned kirikane at Matsuhisa Shukyogeijutsuin Kirikane Course
• 1988
  First woodwork and kirikane solo exhibition with her husband at Matsuya Ginza
• 1991
  Took part in the "kirikane" successors training course and learned from Daizo Nishide, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (also in 1992)
• 2015
  Woodwork / Kirikane Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store (also in 2018, 2021)
• 2016
  Evaluator at the Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (– 2018)
• 2019
  Evaluator and Judge at the Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (– 2022)
• 2020
  Artwork submitted to the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition purchased by the Imperial Household Agency
• 2021
  Invited to submit to exhibition at Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
• Woodwork / Kirikane Exhibitions at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Matsuya Ginza, Daimaru (Kyoto, Shinsaibashi, Kobe, Hakata), Hankyu, Hanshin, Matsuzakaya (Nagoya, Shizuoka),Tenmaya (Okayama, Hiroshima, Kurashiki, Fukuyama) et. and other various galleries

Awards

• 1993
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the Traditional Kōgei 7th Division Exhibition (current Other Crafts Traditional Kōgei Exhibition)
• 2015
  Received the Shiga Board of Education Manager Award at the Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2024
  Nikkei Inc Award, 53rd Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2025
  Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award, 72nd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition