Hayato Otani

• Designation
  Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property for Kinma)
• Category
  Lacquerware
• Techniques
  Kinma, Lacquered bamboo
• Born
  1954 -
• Based in
  Kagawa
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Instructor at Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute
  Director of the Japan Kōgei Association
  Manager of the Japan Kōgei Association Lacquerware Department
  Secretary General of the Japan Kōgei Association Shikoku Branch
  Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property

About the Artist

Refining techniques from the Edo period in the modern world

Otani's master, Living National Treasure, Hitoshi Ota said, "Hayato Otani will become a leading artist in Kagawa Lacquerware". He has sophisticated carving skills and excels in delicate colored patterns, and he himself has been designated as National Living Treasure. He uses plants, insects, and other beautiful scenes in nature in his designs using gradations of colors. He has received many awards, and has also received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, which is a medal awarded to those who have contributed to the field of art. He exhibited his parents' house as "The Lacquer House" at a modern art festival, the Setouchi Triennale. He expressed traditional lacquerware techniques in the world of art, and has been highly commended within Japan and overseas.

Style

Bamboo woven base, kinma*

* Kinma: applying lacquer on the bamboo woven base, carving patterns, applying color lacquer, and polishing

Biography

• 1973
  Graduated from Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Kogei High School, Lacquer Art Course
  Studies under Living National Treasure Hitoshi Ota
• 1978
  Selected for the first time for the 25th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1981
  Completed the Research Associate Course at Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute
• 1982
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
• 1994
  Evaluator at the 37th Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1996
  Judge at the 61st Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
• 2002
  Judge at the 67the the Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
  Evaluator at the 20th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (several times from this year onward)
• 2004
  Evaluator at the 51st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (3 times from this year onward)
• 2007
  Evaluator at the 25th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2009
  Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
• 2020
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for "Kinma"

Awards

• 1986
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 25th Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1987
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 4th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1991
  Received the Mitsukoshi Takamatsu Store Award at the 34th Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1992
  Received the Kagawa Governor Award at the 57th Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
• 1993
  Received the ISOI Jojin Award at the 36th Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1995
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the 12th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 38th Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1998
  Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the 45th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (artwork purchased by the Agency for Cutural Affairs)
  Received the Takamatsu City Educational Cultural Encouragement Award
• 2001
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the 18th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2002
  Received the MEXT Award at the 49th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (artwork purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs)
• 2009
  Received the Kagawa Prefecture Culture and Arts Encouragement Award
• 2013
  Received the Important Intangible Cultural Asset Holder Award at the 60th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Awarded as Kagawa Prefecture Person of Cultural Merits