Morihito Katsura

• Designation
  Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property for Chisel work)
• Category
  Metalwork
• Techniques
  Chisel engraving
• Born
  1944 -
• Based in
  Tokyo
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Full Member and Advisor of the Japan Kogei Association
  Japan Kōgei Association Metalworks Department, Deputy Managing Director
  Judge and Evaluator at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Principal of the Katsura Metal Chasing School
  Visiting Professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design

Style

Producing sword fittings such as decorative hilts, knives attached to the sheath of swords, and sheaths in the beginning of his career, and sash clip fasteners today using basic metal engraving and metal fitting techniques passed down from his ancestors.
Also using engraving, relief engraving, hammering and various inlaying techniques. His designs are based on animals, insects, plants and geometric shapes.

Biography

• 1944
  Born in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo
• 1980
  Artwork purchased by the Imperial Household Agency
• 1992
  Participated in the production of sacred treasures at the Shikinen Sengu Ceremony at Ise Jingu
• 1998
  Hammered incense burner purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
• 2004
  Submitted to the "Contemporary Japanese Metalwork Exhibition" held at the Danish Museum of Art & Design (current Design Museum Denmark) (Copenhagen)
• 2006
  Solo Exhibition held at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi
• 2008
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for "Metal Chasing"
  Participated in the production of sacred treasures at the Shikinen Sengu Ceremony at Ise Jingu
• 2010
  “Metal Chasing – the Art of Katsura Morihito”, Japanese Craft Technique Documentary Film produced by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
• 2011
  The 58th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  "Black-spotted Pond Frog Obi Sash Clip" purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
• 2012
  Submitted to the “Masters of Traditional Crafts” Special Exhibition at the Palace Hotel
  Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi
• 2013
  Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
• 2014
  Submitted to "The Present of Living National Treasures" Exhibition at Tokyo National Museum
  Submitted to "The Creators of Beauty" Exhibition at Jingu Art Museum
• 2015
  Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
• 2016
  Moriyuki / Morihito Katsura Father and Son Exhibition at Yakushiji Temple (Nara)
• 2018
  "Living National Treasure Morihito Katsura - The World of Metal Craft" Exhibition at Nerima Art Museum
  ”Super Technique - Morihito Katsura's Metal Chasing" published
• 2020
  Artwork purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
• 2021
  Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon

Awards

• 1975
  Received the Incentive Award at the 5th Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition ('77 '78 '98)
• 1995
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the 25th Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1998
  Received the Tokyo Governor Award at the 45th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 28th Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2009
  Received the Soukeikai Grand Award from the Soukeikai Foundation

Public Collections

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• National Crafts Museum
• Imperial Household Agency
• Agency for Cultural Affairs
• Nerima Art Museum
• Jingu Art Museum
• Meiji Jingu
• Yakushiji Temple
• Matsushita Museum Gardens Shinshin-an