Shinkyo Nakamura

• Category
  Dolls
• Techniques
  Saishiki, Ceramic dolls, Wooden dolls
• Born
  1957 -
• Based in
  Fukuoka
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Holder of Intangible Cultural Property of Fukuoka Prefecture
  Visiting Professor at Museum of Kyushu Sangyo University
  Director of the Japan Kōgei Association
  Chairman of the Japan Kōgei Association Doll Department
  Vice Secretary General of the Japan Kōgei Association West Japan Branch
  Director of the Japan International Doll and Toy Research Association
  Councilor of Imaemon Museum of Ceramic Antiques
  Director of Dazaifu Kanshokai (Dazaifu Tenmangu)
  Instructor and Manager of Hakataori Development College

About the Artist

Bringing a fresh sensitivity to traditional Hakata Dolls

Shinkyo Nakamura majored in wood carving at university, and entered the world of doll making later on. He has received various awards at traditional craft exhibitions, and is a doll artist that represents Japan. He produces dolls for a traditional event called "Hakata Gion Yamakasa" at his hometown, Hakata, but at the same time, he takes on new challenges. He produces a series of Hakata dolls with a western appearance called, "The Mission of Youths to the West in the Tensho Era" (a mission of boys sent to Rome in 1582), and has presented some of these dolls to the Pope when he was received in audience by him. As he says, "There is always a story in the world of dolls. I hope you will feel the story in the background when seeing them." , his dolls will surely capture your imagination.

Style

As there is always a story behind the world of dolls, I would like people to feel the story when they see the dolls. As people's wishes are put into the shape of a doll, it is easy to pass on your wishes to your children or grandchildren with a doll rather than trying to say in words.

Biography

• 1957
  Born in Fukuoka, currently residing in Fukuoka
  Studied under his father, 2nd generation doll artist Engai Nakamura, Living National Treasure Komao Hayashi, and ceramic artist Toen Murata
• 1989
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 1998
  Evaluator at the Dolls Traditional Kōgei Exhibition ('02, '08, '13)
• 2001
  Judge at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition ('08, '11, '13)
• 2003
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei 50th Anniversary Exhibition “Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan"
• 2010
  Invited to submit to the 1st Trienalle of KOGEI in Kanazawa
• 2011
  Invited to submit to “Mostra La Luce – Lo Splendore Dell’arte Giapponese Contemporanea" at the Museum of the Imperial Fora (Rome, Italy)
• 2012
  Invited to submit to "Art Crafting Towards the Future" at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
• 2014
  Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi
  Received the Fukuoka Governor Award for Excellent Technical Skills
• 2015
  Solo Exhibition at Fukuoka Mitsukoshi
  Submitted to "Japan Kōgei - Future Forward" Exhibition at Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York
• 2016
  Invited to submit to "Expressions of Warmth – Passing on the Mind and Techniques to the Next Generation) at the Jingu Museum (Ise Jingu)
• 2017
  Produced monument for the Lions Clubs International Convention in Fukuoka Airport
  Selected as one of the "100 Masterpieces of Japan" on the completion of Yakushiji Temple's Jikido and dedicated "Yakushiji Genei" to Yakushiji Temple
• 2018
  Solo Exhibition "TIME TRAVELLER" at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi
• 2019
  Presented a doll of "Nakaura Julian" (one of the twenty six Christian martyrs of Japan) to Pope Francis on his visit to Nagasaki
• 2020
  Solo exhibitions at Yokohama Takashimaya, Kyoto Takashimaya and Osaka Takashimaya
• 2021
  Awarded by the Director General of the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
• 2022
  Designated as Intangible Cultural Property of Fukuoka Prefecture

Awards

• 1997
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the 15th Dolls Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1999
  Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the 46th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2006
  Fukuoka Prefectural Cultural Award in the Creative Category
• 2011
  Received the Excellence Award at the POLA Traditional Culture Award
• 2014
  Received the Fukuoka City Cultural Award
• 2021
  Received the Incentive Award at the 68th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2025
  MEXT Award, 32nd Dolls Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Public Collections

• The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
• Agency for Cultural Affairs
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
• Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu
• Musei Vaticani (Vatican City)
• Museum of Kyushu Sangyo University