Tatsuya Matsumoto

About the Artist

Using Carved Lacquer Techniques from the Kamakura Period in Modern Artwork

Lacquerware artist Tatsuya Matsumoto received the Japan Kōgei Association President Award, the top award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He learned carved lacquer (choshitsu) which is a popular lacquerware technique in his hometown Kagawa, from Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru and Jun Otomaru. Carved lacquer is a technique that was introduced to Japan from China during the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333). It is a high-level technique where painting lacquer and polishing is repeated, and the layered color lacquer is carved with a chisel. By carving the layers of color lacquer, the plant and flower patterns and gemoetric patterns stand out three-dimensionally, and the exquisite color gradation is pleasant to see. His artwork is added to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and is highly evaluated within Japan and overseas.

Style

Producing lacquer art using urushi lacquer carving techniques. Urushi carving is a technique that takes much time and effort. Color lacquer is applied a few dozen times. The process of applying lacquer and polishing is repeated. A carving knife specially made for urushi carving is used to carve the patterns on the surface where the layers of color urushi lacquer are applied. He uses realistic patterns such as plants and flowers, abstract, geometric patterns, saihi carvings (slanting the knife when carving to show the different colored layers) and swirling patterns for his designs.

Biography

• 1961
  Born in Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
• 1985
  Completed research student course and researcher course at Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute
• 1986
  Studied under Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru and Jun Otomaru (apprentice for 4 years)
• 1992
  "Choshitsu (Carved Lacquer) Today" at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Crafts Gallery
• 1997
  Tatsuya Matsumoto Carved Lacquer Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
• 2000
  Japanese Contemporary Urushi Art Exhibition (Netherlands)
• 2001
  Kodo Otomaru School Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
• 2005
  Invited to submit to the 23rd Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition
• 2006
  Took part in the cooperative program for the conservation of Japanese art objects overseas (lacquer art) by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
  Dispatched to Cologne, Germany as a specialist for 5 years
• 2010
  "Expressions of 3 Artists in Lacquer Art" at Ginza Wako Hall
• 2013
  Dedicated sacred treasure "Lacquer Art with Hyōmon (Metal Sheet Inlay) and Hairline Engravings" to the 62nd Ise Jingu Shikinen Sengu
  "From Crafts to Kōgei In Commemoration of the 60th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition" at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Crafts Gallery
• 2014
  Carved Lacquer Techniques and Tatsuya Matsumoto Exhibition at the Daibi Art Fair, Osaka Art Club
  The 19th Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition at the MOA Museum of Art
• 2018
  "Letter Box with Green Flower Design in Urushi Carving" purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
• 2020
  Kōgei 2020 - The Art of Crafting Beauty from Nature at the Tokyo National Museum
• Currently working on restoration of lacquer art cultural assets

Awards

• 1991
  Received the Mitsukoshi Award at the 31st Traditional Kōgei New Works Exhibition (artwork purchased by the Imperial Household Agency)
• 1993
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 33rd Traditional Kōgei New Works Exhibition
• 1996
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 36th Traditional Kōgei New Works Exhibition
• 2002
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 19th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2003
  Received the 50th Anniversary Award at the 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2006
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 22nd Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2010
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch 50th Anniversary "Art Crafts in the 21st Century" Exhibition at the MOA Museumof Art
• 2020
  Received the MEXT Award at the 37th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2023
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association President Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Public Collections

• National Crafts Museum
• University of Toyama
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)