Seiho Mizushiri

• Category
  Lacquerware
• Techniques
  Chinkin
• Born
  1954 -
• Based in
  Ishikawa
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  President of "Kiyosato" Urushi Dream Works
  Member of the Japan Kōgei Association Ishikawa Branch
  Lecturer at the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center
  Part-time Lecturer for Crafts Majors at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Department of Design and Crafts
  Wajima Chinkin Business Union Advisor
  Member of the Wajima Kogei Association

About the Artist

Tradition and Innovation of Wajima Lacquerware

Lacquer artist Seiho Mizushiri carries on the tradition of Wajima lacquerware. He uses the chinkin technique, carving patterns with a chisel and applying gold leaf or powder in the carved patterns, and creates delicate and elegant pieces. He is also known for carving patterns on the entire sturdy base unique to Wajima lacquerware. He depicts the raging waves of Noto using platinum and silver, and has established an innovative style with his modern sensibility.
His artworks, not only made with extreme precision, but also with excellent designs and structure, have been highly evaluated, and he has received many awards including the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 72nd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2025.

Style

Born in Wajima. Real name: Yukio. Studied under Bunjiro Fukumitsu. Former union president of the Wajima Chinkin Business Union. His specialty is line engraving, and he is an expert in engraving patterns on the whole surface of a vessel. In his recent years, he made a Wajima lacquerware speaker and has been trying new expressions of lacquerware.
Full member of the Japan Kogei Association. Has been selected and awarded at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition and Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition.

Biography

• 1954
  Born in Wajima City
• 1972
  Entered the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center (Chinkin Course)
  Studied under various instructors that are Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasures) and other lacquerware artists (up to 1975)
  Studied under Chinkin artist Bunjiro Fukumitsu (until September 1975)
• 1975
  Graduated from Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center (Chinkin Course)
• 1979
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (32 times in total up to now)
• 1980
  Invited to submit to and selected for the Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (36 times in total up to now)
• 1983
  Artwork selected for the 30th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition purchased by the Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
• 1986
  Artwork selected for the 33rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition and the "Treasures of the Church of England" Exhibition purchased by the Lambeth Palace
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
  Submitted to the Hokutokai Exhibition, an exhibition held by Full Members of the Japan Kōgei Association (submitted from this year onward)
• 1989
  Selected for the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition 29 times in total up to now)
• 1995
  Submitted to "Lacquerware Artists in Wajima" Exhibition at Wajima Museum of Urushi Art (up to now)
• Other
  Specially invited to submit to the 53rd Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Evaluator at the 56th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Submitted to the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center 20th Anniversary Exhibition
  Submitted to the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center 30th Anniversary Exhibition

Awards

• 2025
  Asahi Shimbun Award, 72nd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• <Awards from 1978 up to now>
  Received the Japan Kogei Association New Artist Award at the 26th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the MOA Museum of Art Award at the 41st Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Incentive Award at the 42nd Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Incentive Award at the 46th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Incentive Award at the 48th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Incentive Award at the 49th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Hokkoku Shimbun President Award at the 51st Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Hokkoku Shimbun President Award at the 64th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Traditional Craft Techniques Preservation Society Chairman Award at the Wajima Art Exhibition
  Received the Taiho Award (Grand Award) at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Wajima Lacquerware Business Union Chairman Award at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Wajima Lacquerware Chinkin Business Union President Award at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Wajima Mayor Award at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition (7 times)
  Received the Ishikawa Governor Award (Grand Award) at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Excellence Award at the Traditional Kogei Wajima Lacquerware New Crafts Exhibition (several times)

Public Collections

• Imperial Household Agency
• Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
• Lambeth Palace

Official Site / Social Media etc.

• Official Site