Keiji Onihira

  • Lacquerware
  • 1973 -
Keiji Onihira

I create my artwork with lacquer, gold, powder, mother-of-pearl, using various makie techniques.
Many new types of lacquer and pigments are being developed these days. I try to use these new materials and techniques within the traditional artwork, as I believe this will create a new tradition.
With traditional lacquerware at the base, I want to try various motifs and themes to produce artwork that create a special little world or atmosphere.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Member of the "Wajima Lacquerware Techniques Preservation Society", an Important Intangible Cultural Property Preservation Organization
  • 1973 Born in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture
  • 1991 Studied under maki-e master KUMANO Sadahisa
  • 1998 Graduated from Maki-e Course, Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Lacquer Arts Training Institute
    Engaged in reproduction of national treasure, decorated columns of Chuson-ji Temple Konjiki-do
    (golden hall) at Lacquerwork Restoration Office, Tokyo National Museum; collected
    by Tohoku History Museum, Miyagi Prefecture
  • 1999 Engaged in reproduction of the Naijin Makibashira (pillars around the inner sanctuary) of Chūson-ji Temple's Konjikidō (Golden Hall)(National Treasure) at the Tokyo National Museum, Lacquerware Restoration Office
  • 2000 Selected for 17th Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works (first time)
    Selected for 47th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (first time)
  • 2009 Production of Maki-e in cultural human resource development organized by Agency for Cultural Affairs
  • 2017 First-stage evaluator at the 58th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2018 "Japanese Lacquerwork" Exhibition at Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
    "URUSHI Tradition and Innovation" Exhibition at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, SOGO Museum of Art, MOA Museum of Art
  • 2019 "Soushitsu-kai" Exhibition at JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery (also submitted in 2023)
  • 2021 Wajima Museum of Urushi Art 30th Anniversary Special Exhibition "Made in Wajima - The Age of Urushi" at Wajima Museum of Urushi Art
  • 2022 "Keiji Onihira MAKIE" Exhibition at LEXUS Hoshigaoka Lounge Gallery
  • 2023 Becomes member of the "Wajima Lacquerware Techniques Preservation Society", an Important Intangible Cultural Property Preservation Organization

  • 2004Received Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 21st Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works
  • 2006Received the Mayor of Kanazawa Award at the 47th Ishikawa Traditional
    Art Crafts Exhibition
  • 201152nd Traditional Crafts Exhibition of Ishikawa - Kanazawa City Mayor Prize
    58th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition – Japan Crafts Association Honorable Prize
  • 2018Ishikawa Prefecture Culture Awards – Public Recognition Prize
  • 2023Received the 70th Anniversary Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Price Range

$ 3,000 - 30,000

The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.

16 artworks posted