Norihito Sakai

• 1933
  Born in Hodatsushimizu　Town, Hakui County, Ishikawa Prefecture. Named Tomo-o
• 1949
  Studied under NAKAI Eizo and KAWASAKI Kazuyoshi at Biken-so
• 1963
  Became independent and started producing works
• 1946
  Submitted to the 18th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition for the first time
• 1978
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
• 1979
  First solo exhibition at Chinzan-so, Mejiro, Tokyo
• 1980
  Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
• 1982
  His work was purchased by the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
• 1983
  Judge at the 23rd Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Art Crafts
• 1989
  Submitted to the Europaria 1989 Japan Exhibition in Belgium
• 1991
  Published the Norihito Sakai Collection of Works
• 1991
  Solo exhibition at Tokyo Central Museum, Ginza
• 1991
  Solo exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto
• 1996
  Jury member at the Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
• 1999
  1st Yuzen Studio Exhibition at Kamakura Performing Arts Center
• 2002
  2nd Yuzen Studio Exhibition at Kamakura Performing Arts Center
• 2004
  Participated in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ artist dispatch project

The majority of SAKAI’s textile works have figurative designs, and are mainly produced by the itome-yuzen dyeing technique and on rare occasions wax is jointly used. The motifs of his past works are dogtooth violets and skunk-cabbage flowers, and timberyards and aurora skies in landscapes.

• Received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the National Komon Yuzen Competition (1 time)
• Received the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Consumer Goods Industries Bureau Director-General’s Award at the Tokyo Tegaki-yuzen Competition and Urushi Works Exhibition (4 times)
• Received the Governor of Tokyo Prize at the Tokyo Tegaki-yuzen Competition and Urushi Works Exhibition (7 times)
• Received the Urushi Works Exhibition Grand Prize at the Tokyo Tegaki-yuzen Competition and Urushi Works Exhibition (7 times)
• Received the Tokyo Board of Education Award at the Japan Traditional Textile Arts Exhibition (1 time)
• Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Japan Traditional Textile Arts Exhibition (2 times)
• Received the Nikkei Inc. Award at the Japan Traditional Textile Arts Exhibition (1 time)