Kanji Araki

  • Wood and Bamboo
  • 1952 -
Kanji Araki

Cherishing the inspiration received from the works of the master KURODA Tatsuaki, a living national treasure, and my encounters with him, I have acquired woodwork techniques, and engage in creative activity with a focus on the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition.
Using wood as my material, I am producing furniture and craft products that are used in daily life and give warmth and calmness to the mind. I mainly use woodwork joints, wood turning, or combined techniques to create the basic piece, and for finishing I usually apply the fuki-urushi (wiped urushi) technique.
Trees that have lived for decades or through the centuries show their vitality and massive presence; they each have their own individual expressive and beautiful wood grain, color, and texture. I always keep in mind how best to bring out the natural beauty of each piece of the wood. In other words, my work is to bring life to the body of the trees.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Toyama Prefectural Craft Artists Union, Tonami Fine Art Association
  • 1952 Born in Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture
  • 1987 Impressed by the work of KURODA Tatsuaki (woodwork, living national treasure)
    and subsequently studied woodwork under him
  • 1983 Selected for Japan Traditional Art Crafts Toyama Exhibition (first time);
    submitted every year to date
  • 1988 Selected for Japan Traditional Bamboo and Wood Exhibition (first time);
    submitted every year to date
  • 1991 Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  • 2002 Solo exhibition:Araki Kanji Woodwork Exhibition, Tonami Art Museum
  • 2004 Solo exhibition:Araki Kanji Woodwork Exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi main store
  • 2005 Solo exhibition:Araki Kanji Woodwork Exhibition, Tonami Branch, Kita-Nippon Shimbun

  • 1988Received the Japan Kogei Association Award
    at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Toyama Exhibition
  • 1989Received the Japan Kogei Association Award
    at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Toyama Exhibition
  • 1994Received the Japan Kogei Association Award
    at the Japan Traditional Bamboo and Wood Exhibition
  • 1999Received the Grand Prize at the Art Exhibition
    of Tonamino (Tonami Art Museum),
    and the award-winning entry was later purchased
    by Tonami City
  • 2008Received the Governor of Toyama Prize0
    at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Toyama Exhibition
4 artworks posted