Hajime Isoi

1954

Born in Nibu, Ouchi Town, Kagawa Prefecture

1973

Graduated from Urushi Work Course, Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu-Kougei High School
(during the 3-year course, taught by OTA Hitoshi, a holder
of important intangible cultural property
(kinma technique, incised and color-filled decoration)
and acknowledged as a living national treasure in 1994
Studied under the late OTOMARU Kodo, a holder of
important intangible cultural property (choshitsu technique,
carved urushi) and living national treasure (1955-1997)
(served as a live-in apprentice until 1978)

1976

Selected for 23rd Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (first time); selected regularly to date

1979

Full member, Japan Kogei Association

1980

As an FY1980 Kagawa Prefecture domestic trainee artist, studied under the late TAGUCHI Yoshikuni,
a holder of important intangible cultural property (maki-e technique, sprinkled picture decoration),
and living national treasure (1989-1998)

1981

As an FY1981 Agency for Cultural Affairs domestic trainee artist, studied under OTOMARU Kodo
and TAGUCHI Yoshikuni

1987

At the Japan Kogei Association successor training course for urushi work kinma technique, tutored
by his father-in-law ISOI Masami, a holder of important intangible cultural property (kinma technique) and
a living national treasure (1985-1988)

1990

"Craftsmanship of ISOI Masami ―The Beauty of Kinma Technique―"
documentary funded by the Pola Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Japanese Culture; accompanied
film crew, and visited Myanmar and northern Thailand to see urushi work techniques including kinma

2006

Exhibited at Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi
Works, and Japan Kogei Association Shikoku Branch Exhibition (present ""Traditional Art Crafts Shikoku Exhibition""),Kagawa Art Exhibition,
Zenshitsu–kai Exhibition, Tea Ceremony Art Public
Exhibition, ISOI Masami School Exhibition (2004),
and other exhibitions.

1982

Received the Incentive Award at the Japan Kogei
Association Shikoku Branch Exhibition

1983

Received the Incentive Award at the Japan Kogei
Association Shikoku Branch Exhibition

1990

Received the Hounsai Sensoshitsu Iemoto Award and
the Incentive Award at the '90 Tomorrow's Art
of the Tea Ceremony Public Exhibition
Received the Incentive Award at the Japan Kogei
Association Shikoku Branch Exhibition

1997

Received the Governor of Kagawa Prize
at the 12th National Culture Festival - Kagawa '97

1998

Received the Tankosha Publishing Incentive Award
at the '98 Tanko Biennale Arts of the Tea Ceremony
Public Exhibition

2006

Received the Isoi Joshin Award at the Japan Kogei
Association Shikoku Branch Exhibition