FEATURED ARTISTS
Teiji Miyamoto
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Using Techniques of Woodwork Fully to Produce His Artwork
Woodwork artist Teiji Miyamoto was designated as Living National Treasure for woodwork in 2023. He studied under Kenkichi Kuroda (eldest son of Tatsuaki Kuroda) at the age of 20, and after 10 years of training, he became independent at the age of 30 and established his studio in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. He received many awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition etc. and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a medal awarded to those who have made achievements in the art field, in 2013. Miyamoto is known for his carvings with flowing lines that remind us of waves. He says he has been inspired by the waves that form after the boats in Lake Biwa. He uses wood joinery techniques where no nails etc. are used to join the wood parts, hollowing techniques where vessels are hand carved and hollowed from a block of wood, wiped urushi to bring out the wood grain beautifully, and carvings to form ridgelines. With his outstanding skills, he makes artwork that bring out the characters of the wood to the most.
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Sekisui Ito V
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Pursuing One and Only Unique Mumyoi Ware
Mumyoi Ware is a type of ceramics made from red clay, mumyoi, produced near the gold vein of the Sado Gold and Silver Mine. Sekisui Ito V is the fifth generation of the Mumyoi Ware pottery, Sekisui Kiln, producing ceramics since the Edo period. He established his unique way of expression while respecting the tradition handed down for generations in Sado Island, and was designated as Living National Treasure for Mumyoi Ware in 2003. The "kiln mutation" series where the kiln mutation effects create unique boundary lines between the red and black colors, the "marble" series, where he kneads clay of different colors to create patterns, and the "Sadogashima" series where he uses rocks from Sado Island to create rough textures. His artworks of these series that represent his work have been added to the collections of famous museums and art museum including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and are highly evaluated in Japan and overseas. In 2024, he assumed the name "Sekijin Ito", and even today, after nearly 60 years since he started his career as a ceramic artist, he continues to create ceramics arduously.
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Shozo Kitaoka
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Kagawa Lacquerware Created with Delicate Gradations
Lacquer artist Shozo Kitaoka studied the techniques of Kagawa Lacquerware under Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru. He received the Grand Award, MEXT Award at the 42nd Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the leading lacquer artists in Japan gather. Kitaoka's specialty is carved lacquer, a traditional technique where color lacquer is applied hundreds of times and carved to create patterns and delicate color gradation. He also continues to try new forms of expression that cannot be seen in traditional carved lacquer. He applies coats of lacquer by tapping and stippling the lacquer to create softer colors. Kitaoka has been invited to submit his artworks to exhibitions abroad in the past, and is highly evaluated in Japan and overseas.
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Mina Okui
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Creating Pure Lacquer Art that Empathize with Our Hearts
Lacquer artist Mina Okui creates forms freely using the dry lacquer technique where layers of hemp cloth and lacquer are applied to make the base form. Okui's artwork, with gentle curves and smooth and glossy lacquer that brings out the charm of the forms, has received many awards including the Japan Kōgei Association President Award at the 64th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2017. In 2020, she received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a medal awarded to those who have made distinguished contribution in the art field, and gathered much attention. Okui says, "I want to create beautiful forms that make people feel comfortable. " Her artworks that empathize with our hearts charm many of her fans in Japan and overseas.
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Tomoko Takahashi
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Elevating Gold Decoration Techniques to Modern Ceramics
Ceramic artist Tomoko Takahashi makes ceramics using gold and silver decoration techniques that create beautiful patterns with gold and silver leaf. Her moon-themed ceramics with a unique worldview are gaining popularity. Takahashi received the NHK Chairman Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, the top public exhibition in Japan where the artworks from Living National Treasures to up and coming young artists gather. This was her first award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, but she has received many awards at the Kikuchi Biennale and the Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony where the artworks of modern ceramic artists that are gaining attention gather.
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Kosei Fujikawa
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Blending Traditional Techniques Into Artwork
Metalwork artist Kosei Fujikawa received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. Fujikawa learned techniques in places where traditional metalwork techniques have been passed down for generations. He learned Higo inlay in Kumamoto, Kaga inlay in Ishikawa, decorative metal work (hammering and decorating with engravings and inlays) in Kyoto and Tokyo silversmithery in Tokyo. He creates his artwork by combining these techniques. Backed by the fact of being awarded at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, his artwork with finely detailed decorations is gathering attention in Japan and overseas.
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Hisano Ozaki
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The Enchanting World of Hand-Painted Yuzen with Exquisite Techniques
Hand-painted yuzen is made by drawing the outline of patterns with glue on a white fabric and painting carefully within the lines with a brush to create intricate patterns. Yuzen artist Hisano Ozaki uses itome (threadline) glue to make the white outline stand out, and uses the batik method to create color gradient. Her beautiful textiles with depth in colors like watercolor paintings are highly evaluated, and she received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. While conveying and preserving traditional techniques, Ozaki's textiles are created with originality and uniqueness and is bringing a new breeze to the world of yuzen.
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Yutaka Idogawa
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Traditional Techniques and Beauty Passed Down to the Present
Ceramic artist Yutaka Idogawa creates ceramics using motifs of things nearby us for the designs with soft colors and textures. The charm of his artwork is the fresh looking transparent luster made by applying silver paint made from silver powder onto the porcelain. He received the Japan Kōgei Association Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2024 and is gaining more attention. Idogawa is also an educator and researcher. He is currently a professor at Hiroshima University and is passing on his skills that he has cultivated over the years, as well as the splendor of traditional crafts to the next generation.
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Akemi Endo
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A Rhythmical World of Stencil Resist Picture Dyeing
Stencil resist picture dyeing is a technique where patterns are dyed using stencils. The artist herself performs the whole process of drawing the design, carving the pattern to make the stencil and dyeing. Stencil resist picture dyeing artist Akemi Endo makes her patterns being inspired by plants and natural scenery and creates her unique, original world. She has been awarded several times at the the Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where artists in Japan from Living National Treasures to young artists gather. She received the Tokyo Governor Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, a top level exhibition in Japan. Her kimonos, using blue and green as the the base color with the rhythmically arranged patterns, adds color to those who wear them.
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Jigoemon Ohara XVI
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Techniques Passed Down for Generations from Father to Son
Jōhana Makie has been passed down for generations from father to son since the late 16th century. Unlike the typical "makie" where gold powder is sprinkled on lacquer, the family's secret technique, white makie is used and patterns are painted in bright multi-colored lacquer. Jigoemon Ohara XVI succeeds these traditional techniques of Jōhana Makie. He received the New Artist Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top artists in Japan gather. He preserves and restores cultural properties while actively taking part in exhibitions and holding lectures in Japan and overseas, and is making efforts to pass down, develop and expand Japanese lacquer art.
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Shimpei Matsuzaki
A Passionate Artist to Lead the Future of Lacquer Art
Lacquer artist Shimpei Matsuzaki received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2024. He produces lacquerware using traditional decorating techniques such as mother-of-pearl inlay and makie. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, he started his career as an assistant at Tokyo University of the Arts and became a part-time lecturer afterwards. In 2021, he moved to Okinawa and has been deepening his studies on lacquer art techniques. He not only creates lacquerware, but he is also highly evaluated for his paintings using lacquer art techniques. His passion to pursue new possibilities of lacquerware with his modern artistic sense is gaining much attention.
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Yasunori Kakuma
Bringing Out the Charm of Wood Grains with Exquisite Skills
Woodwork artist Yasunori Kakuma received the MEXT Award at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2024. His specialty is wood joinery, a traditional technique where no nails or metal parts are used, and the wood is assembled so that the jointed parts are not shown. He uses old wood found in the ground or in water called Jindai cedar wood and Jindai zelcova wood, and Japanese yew wood with a beautiful reddish-brown color. His artwork is simple but his sense of beauty can be seen in the details. Such beautiful forms where the beauty of wood is brought out to the most charms those who see his artwork.
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Satoshi Hara
Enhancing the beauty of metal using traditional techniques and unique expressions
Satoshi Hara is a metalwork artist who forms his artwork by hammering a metal plate, and uses his original technique called nanako inlay. He received the Grand Award, Japan Kōgei Association President Award, at the 71st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of Living National Treasures to up-and-coming young artists gather. The lines and dots on the surface of the vessel look as if they have been painted, but actually, a high level inlay technique is used to inlay a different type of metal. Hara created a unique technique by combining the inlay technique with a traditional chasing technique called nanako where circles are consecutively engraved. His artwork with accurate and delicate designs have been added to the collections of art museums overseas.
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Masato Ichikawa
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The Aesthetic World of Woodwork
Woodwork artist Masato Ichikawa mainly creates artwork using a technique called wood joinery, a technique to assemble wood parts with joints. Ichikawa started studying wood joinery on his own, and submitted to various exhibitions. In 2014, he received the New Artist Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where craft artists representing Japan gather. He is highly evaluated for his artwork paying careful attention to detail to make the most of the beauty of wood. In his recent years, he has been focusing on colors of the wooden material. He uses the marquetry technique, which is combining wood parts of different colors to create patterns, and is expanding his range of expression.
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Yosuke Otsuki
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Expressing Colors in Memories with Color Glass
In 2021, Yosuke Otsuki received the top award, MEXT Award, at the Various Works Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level glasswork and cloisonne artists in Japan gather. His artwork was purchased by the Imperial Household Agency in 2020. Otsuki expresses the light, wind and scents that a person has in one's memories using various colors. He uses a unique technique where he welds glass parts of different colors to make layers of color glass, and carefully carves it to create a beautiful form. He is a glasswork artist that is currently gaining much attention.
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Yukie Osumi
Expressing the Changes in Nature with the Soft Shine of Metal
Metalwork artist Yukie Osumi studied under Living National Treasures Ikkoku Kashima, Shiro Sekiya and Morihito Katsura and learned metalwork decorative techniques such as hammering, a technique to hammer and form metal, engraving and damascene inlay. Her artworks with organic designs using motifs of waves and clouds combined beautifully with metal have been awarded several times at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top class artworks in Japan gather. Her outstanding skills have been highly evaluated, and in 2015, she was designated as Living National Treasure in the field of metal hammering. Her artworks have been added to the collections of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and many other art museums in Japan and overseas. She is active at the forefront of this field and is spreading the charm of Japanese metalwork to the world.
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Sayoko Matsueda
The Ultimate Handwork
Sayoko Matsueda is a designated holder of binding and weaving techniques of Kurume Kasuri, a traditional craft designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. The Matsueda family started their business as a weaver in 1882. Sayoko's husband Tetsuya was the 5th generation, but passed away in 2020. She is currently striving to pass on the traditional techniques with her son Takahiro. The Matsueda family is known for picture kasuri where various patterns are woven like pictures. Patterns such as flowers and birds are designed, and the warp threads and bound weft threads are dyed with natural indigo dye based on the design. Sometimes there can be thousands of bindings in the weft threads. The techniques to hand weave beautiful and precise patterns using the weft threads that have been accurately bound and dyed are absolutely amazing.
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Kaori Izumi
Collaborating with Techniques of the World
Glasswork artist Kaori Izumi creates profound artwork using Japan's traditional cut glass technique and the traditional lace glass technique of Venetian glass. After graduating from university, Izumi studied glasswork techniques in Japan and overseas, and received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2021. The delicate lace-like color glass lines overlapping in spirals and the bold cut on the outside create an artistic beauty that cannot be seen in typical cut glass pieces. The exquisite beauty of lace glass and sharpness of the cut glass are the characteristics of Izumi's artwork.
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Keiboku Nakamura
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Developing and Enhancing the Spirit of Buddhist Art Into Modern Art
Kirikane cut foil embellishing, a technique using gold leaf, was introduced to Japan from mainland China around the 6th century, and has been passed down for generations as a technique to decorate Buddha statues and Buddhist paintings. Kirikane artist Keiboku Nakamura not only produces Buddha statues and Buddhist paintings, but also creates various artworks seeking new possibilities for kirikane. Using natural scenery for motifs, his delicate artworks made with finely cut gold leaf are highly evaluated at exhibitions where the top level artists in Japan gather, and have been awarded several times. Nakamura's artworks that have developed and enhanced the traditional technique with a history of more than 1000 years into modern art, bring peace and comfort to the hearts of those who see them.
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Natsuko Kamigaki
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Creating Artwork that Reaches Out to Those Who See It
"Rantai Kinma" is a lacquerware technique where groves are carved into the bamboo woven base painted with urushi lacquer, and color lacquer is applied on the engravements and polished to create beautiful patterns. Natsuko Kamigaki mastered this traditional lacquerware technique and has been selected several times and received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award and many other awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artworks in Japan gather. She has been highly evaluated and is receiving much attention. Expressing the gradation and overlapping of colors delicately with various colors of color urushi, Kamigaki's artwork has a unique presence that draws people into the world of her artwork. As she takes on new challenges to create a new style of art while succeeding the traditional techniques, expectations for her future are growing even higher.
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Yu Okada
New Art Based on Tradition
Yu Okada is the 8th generation of the Okada Kiln, a Hagi ware pottery with a long history since the Edo period. His artwork is collected by famous art museums including the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. His representative works are those using white straw ash glaze, a typical glaze used for Hagi ware, as well as his flame pattern series, which he got the idea from his trip to the silk road. The flame pattern series are pieces with flickering flame patterns, his original design making use of the colors of Hagi clay. There are 4 rooms in his climbing kiln which he fires several times a year to produce many pieces of various sizes, but he says he is satisfied with only 40% of them. While using traditional material and techniques, Okada, with a career as a ceramic artist for more than 50 years, continues to take on new challenges to create his original artwork.
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Kimiko Shirabe
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Creating Unique Beauty with Plaiting and Parallel Construction Techniques
Kimiko Shirabe encountered bamboo works in Oita Prefecture where the first bamboo work artist to become a Living National Treasure, Shounsai Shono was from, and started her career as a bamboo work artist herself. She has been selected for several traditional craft exhibitions including the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, and received the Japan Kōgei Association Yamaguchi Branch Manager Award at the 43rd Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2020 and the 46th Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2023. Shirabe studied under Shono's apprentice, Kochikusai Tanabe for many years and learned traditional plaiting and parallel construction techniques. She also learned bundle plaiting techniques from Living National Treasure Soho Katsushiro. By combining these techniques, she is currently trying to create her original and unique artwork. Expectations are high for even more beautiful bamboo works.
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Fumihiko Arakawa
Pursuing the Beauty of Urushi Lacquer with Outstanding Techniques
Lacquerware artist Fumihiko Arakawa creates his artwork in the Yamanaka Onsen District of Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture where Yamanaka-nuri (lacquerware) is produced. Yamanaka-nuri is known for making the most of the wood grain of the wooden base, but Arakawa uses a lacquering technique called "kyushitsu", and is highly evaluated for his work with beautiful urushi lacquering. He has received many awards following his first selection for the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of top level lacquerware artists in Japan, from Living National Treasures to up-and-coming artists gather in 1994. With his outstanding techniques, Arakawa creates a smooth texture by making the most of the original gloss of urushi lacquer. His artwork has a deep charm that comes from the rich appearance of urushi lacquer.
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Akira Sakamoto
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Creating New Style Celadon Porcelain with a Free Mind
Ceramic artist Akira Sakamoto was born as the 3rd generation of the Inshu Nakai Kiln in Tottori, known widely as a kiln producing folk art. When he was in his 30s, he received the Grand Award, the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Award at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition. After reaching the top of folk crafts, Sakamoto decided to challenge the world of traditional crafts in his mid 40s. He is currently producing artwork as a folk craft artisan and a celadon porcelain artist. As a porcelain artist, he uses a technique called "kakewake", where he uses different types of glaze to create unique celadon pieces. After being selected and receiving many awards at exhibitions where the artwork of top class artists in Japan gather, he was designated as Holder of Intangible Cultural Property of Tottori for "ceramics" in 2023. Sakamoto says he is still in the process of developing. He is receiving much attention with his unconventional ideas, and his challenges going through trials and errors.
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Seizo Kawaguchi
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Creating Forms and Beauty of Wood Grain with Hollowed-out Woodwork
Hollowed-out woodwork is made by carving a block of wood with chisels and planes. Using the hollowing technique, woodwork artist Seizo Kawaguchi produces woodwork of various forms, making the most of the beautiful wood grains. Kawaguchi has been awarded at many traditional craft exhibitions. In 2021, he received the grand award, MEXT Award at the Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artwork of woodwork artists representing Japan, including Living National Treasures, are gathered. In 2020, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a medal awarded to those who have made contributions in the art field. Kawaguchi's woodworks with beautiful forms and wood grains with more character added by finishing with wiped urushi, charms those who see them with their lively looks.
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Osamu Suzuki
Great Master of Shino Type
Ceramic artist Osamu Suzuki was designated as Living National Treasure for Shino type when he was 59 years old. He celebrated his 90th birthday in 2024 and continues to make ceramics as an active artist with the longest history as holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property. While helping his father's work as a ceramic engineer, he himself started his career in ceramics and became independent. It was said that Shino type could only be made in wood-fired kilns, but when he was in his 30s, he tried firing Shino type in a gas kiln and succeeded. Since then, he has been trying to produce ceramics using methods in line with the times, and continues to produce ceramics today.
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Yukio Yoshita
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Elevating Traditional Gold Painted Porcelain to Unique Artwork
Yukio Yoshita is the 4th generation of the Kinzangama Kiln, a Kutani ware pottery established in 1906. He received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, Japan's top class exhibition, in 2010, and has also received many awards at arts and crafts exhibitions held at the Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. etc. Yoshita says that he has added various ideas to the traditional gold-painted porcelain techniques where gold leaf and gold powder is used to create his original artwork. He creates beautiful, gorgeous ceramics by layering colors like watercolor paintings on the cool porcelain. His studio in Ishikawa was damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, but he feels grateful that all 5 of his family members who are ceramic artists were safe and are able to continue making ceramics.
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Hiroaki Matsubara
Trying New Styles of Lacquer Art with Exquisite Urushi Carving
Hiroaki Matsubara was born and raised in Kagawa where the tradition of lacquerware from the Edo period lives on. Matsubara studied under lacquer artist Shozo Kitaoka and Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru to learn urushi carving, one of the techniques of Kagawa Lacquerware. Urushi carving is a high level technique where layers of color urushi lacquer is applied onto the base and is carved to create patterns. Matsubara uses familiar animals and plants in nature for his motifs. He is highly evaluated for trying new styles of lacquer art using traditional techniques, and has been awarded at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top lacquer artists in Japan gather several times. He is currently an instructor at Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute and is committed to teaching the next generation.
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Takashi Tomono
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A Peaceful World of Red and Black
Lacquerware artist Takashi Tomono graduated from the Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center where many lacquerware artists study, and then studied under Living National Treasure Kunie Komori. Tomono has been awarded several times since his first award in 2015, the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level lacquerware artists gather, and received the grand award, MEXT Award, at the 41st Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition this year. His artwork is known for the glossy texture of urushi lacquer and the color contrast of red and black. He succeeds the tradition of urushi lacquer that has been passed down for generations in Japan. The young artist, creating lacquerware to convey the charm of lacquer art to the next generation, is gathering much attention.
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Kiyoshi Hara
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Creating a Unique World with Iron Glaze
After starting his career in ceramics at the age of 18, Kiyoshi Hara has pursued his career for 70 years and still produces ceramics energetically. Using iron glaze, a technique to develop colors such as black and brown from the iron in the glaze, he expresses horses running in the fields and lovely flowers in his artwork. After studying under iron glaze ceramic artists and Living National Treasures Munemaro Ishiguro and Uichi Shimizu, he himself was designated as Living National Treasure for iron glazed ceramics in 2005. Public collections: Shimane Art Museum, Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, etc.
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Kiyoto Suzuta
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Succeeding the Traditions of Saga
Kiyoto Suzuta received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for his woodblock printed sarasa textiles where he dyes the patterns using woodblocks and stencils. He has been studying under his father Shigeto, Living National Treasure for woodlock printed sarasa, and succeeded the techniques of "Nabeshima Sarasa" that were once lost. To produce woodblock printed sarasa, various little woodblocks are used in different angles and are combined with the stencil patterns. The fabric is then dyed to create a variety of designs. The whole process from woodblock printing to dyeing is done by hand, so each of the patterns are elaborate but at the same time different. Suzuta says he tries to express and bring out the charm of sarasa that can only be done with woodblocks and stencils. His young talent is gathering much attention.
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Chikako Ueda
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Creating a Mysterious Luster with Traditional Techniques
Metalwork artist Chikako Ueda produces artwork in Kyoto where she was born and raised, using the traditional hammering technique where a metal plate is hammered and formed. She studied under her father, metalwork artist Sannen Ueda, and was selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, where the artworks of the top artists in Japan gather, for the first time in 2005. She received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the commemorable 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition last year. She says she tries to make artwork with a sense of warmth. Her artwork series with designs of sea creatures under the moonlight shed a mysterious luster, but at the same time they have a charm to bring those who see her artwork back to their childhood.
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Seiji Usami
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Creating Gentle Light Using Original Techniques
Ceramic artist Seiji Usami received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2023. After graduating from Musashino Art University, Usami worked as an industrial designer at a major consumer electronics manufacturer and received many Good Design Awards, which is the only official award in Japan to evaluate and promote designs. After retirement, he started learning ceramics in full swing, and in 2017, he was not only selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time, but he also received the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award. Using layers of translucent engobe, Usami's ceramics have a soft color tone, but are colorful. Those who see his ceramics never get tired of his unique world where you can feel strength within the soft colors.
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Michiyo Kitaoka
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Bringing a New Breeze into Kagawa Lacquerware
Lacquerware artist Michiyo Kitaoka received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2023. Her specialty is kinma, which is a technique where color lacquer is applied in the carved dots and lines and is polished afterwards to make the patterns. She uses natural scenery that she has seen herself as motifs of her designs. Those who see her lacquerware using vivid colors with delicate, yet adventurous designs, are drawn into the world of her artwork. Her artwork using traditional techniques but with a free approach is gaining more and more attention.
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Yasuyoshi Matsumoto
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Young Caster Inheriting Metal Casting Skills
Metalwork artist Yasuyoshi Matsumoto received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for his artwork using metal casting skills, where the metal is melted and formed. Matsumoto is the 4th generation of Horikawa Metal Casting Studio located in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo with a history since the Meiji era. His artwork is distinctive for the unique forms and colors of bronze, vermilion and rōgin. He has received many awards at the Metalwork Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where metalwork artists with top level skills in Japan gather since his first award, New Artist Award in 2015, and is highly evaluated as a young metalwork artist.
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Seiko Fujino
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Passing on 1000 Year Old Techniques to the Next Generation
Kirikane cut foil embellishing was introduced to Japan from China in the 6th century as a technique to beautifully decorate Buddha statues and Buddhist paintings. Gold leaf is finely cut with a bamboo knife, and the cut gold leaf is applied using two brushes, one in each hand, to draw patterns. Kirikane artist Seiko Fujino received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. Using natural motifs, Fujino says she aims to make artwork that would make you want to talk to and those that can be handed down for generations. The delicate patterns on the gentle colors charm those who see her work.
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Koki Okumura
Using Traditional Metalwork Techniques in Modern Expressions
Metalwork artist Koki Okumura received the Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He developed his metalwork skills through repairing and restoring old cultural properties. Using "shibuichi", an alloy of copper and silver, and other combinations of metal, he creates a warm texture that does not look like metal at first glance. While using traditional techniques, his artistic work that go beyond the borders of tradition, have been awarded several times at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top artworks in Japan gather.
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Kiichiro Masumura
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Kyushitsu Techniques to be Passed Down to the Next Generation
Kyushitsu is known as the oldest technique in lacquer art. Lacquer artist Kiichiro Masumura studied lacquer art in Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School and also learned traditional kyushitsu techniques from his father, Living National Treasure, Mashiki Masumura. He later restored a Shosoin treasure and extended his range of expression. In 2002, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon which is a medal given to those who have made distinguished achievement in the art field. He was designated as Living National Treasure for kyushitsu in 2008. His artwork made with lacquering techniques taking advantage of the characteristics of lacquer and beautiful forms have been added to the collections of art museums in Japan and overseas, and impress those who see them.
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Minori Yoshita
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Expressing Tradition and Innovation with Gold Leaf
Minori Yoshita is the 3rd generation of the Kinzangama Kiln, a pottery producing Kutani ware since the Meiji era. He was designated as Living National Treasure for underglaze gold decoration in 2001. For his underglaze gold decorations, Yoshita places gold leaf cut into patterns of flowers and birds onto the base and bakes the vessel. As he uses gold leaf of different thicknesses, the patterns look three-dimensional. While maintaining the traditional techniques, he has been using modern technology since his early days such as the electric kiln. He is striving for innovation to pass on to the next generation, and even in his 90s today, he continues to produce artwork energetically.
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Akio Shimada
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Fusion of Nordic Art and Japanese Crafts
Woodwork artist Akio Shimada received the 70th Anniversary Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, marking its 70th year in 2023. After training in various places around Japan, Shimada went to Sweden to learn Nordic woodwork techniques. When he returned to Japan, he built his studio in Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido and started making furniture with marquetries. In 2007, he received the title "Meister" of Swedish furniture manufacturing, a national qualification in Sweden, for the first time as a Japanese person. At the same time, he also submitted his artwork to the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level techniques and beauty of traditional Japanese crafts gather, and received the 70th Anniversary Award with his most recent work.
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Yoshiyasu Yamamoto
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Pursuing New Possibilities of Clay and Fire
Ceramic artist Yoshiyasu Yamamoto received the NHK Chairman Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He doesn't use glaze, only clay, and is highly evaluated for his techniques in unglazed high-firing, which is firing in the kiln to bring out patterns by mutation effect. With this simple, yet high level technique using only clay and fire, Yamamoto says he is aiming to make a new kind of pottery. His artwork that creates a mysterious atmosphere within the powerfulness of the clay is very attractive.
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Junko Ebigase
Charmed by the Emerging Delicate Patterns
Junko Ebigase is a textile artist who received the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman's Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. She studied under Living National Treasure Takeshi Kitamura, and learned the weaving techniques of komeori (kome weave). Kome weave is a kind of "gauze"; a translucent weave where the patterns that appear look like rice grains ("kome" in Japanese). The name "kome weave" is said to have come from these patterns. Using plant dyed threads, Ebigase specializes in designs that bring out the charm of the color shades and makes textiles full of poetic sentiment. While using kasuri weave and sukuiori techniques, she pursues the world of kome weave freely.
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Keiji Onihira
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Creating Artwork without Fearing Change
Lacquerware artist Keiji Onihira received the Excellence Award, "70th Anniversary Award" at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, celebrating its 70th year in 2023. Onihira was born and raised in Wajima, where lacquer art is popular, and has been submitting his artwork to the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for many years. He also made the makie fountain pen, and has been developing his makie skills. While valuing the traditional makie techniques, he has been trying new urushi material to produce artwork for the next generation. He not only uses plants and scenery that we see around us as motifs, but also makes artwork with patterns of celestial phenomenons, expressing the universe, auroras, and crepuscular rays. He doesn't fear changes and takes on new challenges.
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Tatsuya Matsumoto
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Using Carved Lacquer Techniques from the Kamakura Period in Modern Artwork
Lacquerware artist Tatsuya Matsumoto received the Japan Kōgei Association President Award, the top award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He learned carved lacquer (choshitsu) which is a popular lacquerware technique in his hometown Kagawa, from Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru and Jun Otomaru. Carved lacquer is a technique that was introduced to Japan from China during the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333). It is a high-level technique where painting lacquer and polishing is repeated, and the layered color lacquer is carved with a chisel.
By carving the layers of color lacquer, the plant and flower patterns and gemoetric patterns stand out three-dimensionally, and the exquisite color gradation is pleasant to see. His artwork is added to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and is highly evaluated within Japan and overseas.
Hiromine Nakamura
Expressing a moment of a story in his artwork
Hiromine Nakamura is a doll artist who recieved the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. Born and raised in a doll artisan family as the fourth generation, he studied under his father Shinkyo Nakamura. While following the tradition of Hakata dolls, he is highly evaluated for his modern style dolls such as his "athlete series" where he uses baseball players etc. for his motifs. By looking at the facial expressions and movement of the dolls, we can imagine the whole story behind the artwork.
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Kazuo Kashima
Trying New Possibilities of Traditional Techniques
Kazuo Kashima is a metalwork artist who received the Tokyo Governor Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He acquired the "damascene inlay" technique which is inlaying thin metal sheets into the carved metal surface. He succeeded the traditional techniques as the 5th generation of Kashima Nunome (damascening) that started during the Edo period. His artwork, adding his free ideas to traditional techniques, are evaluated highly at the largest metalwork exhibition in Japan. He also works globally, holding exhibitions and workshops overseas, and is introducing the charm of damascene inlay to the new generation.
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Kenji Suda
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Artworks with a Pure and Modern Aura
Woodwork artist Kenji Suda was born to a family of woodworkers since his grandfather's generation. He himself became a woodwork artist, and in 2010, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a medal granted to meritorious people in the art field. In 2014, he was designated as Living National Treasure for "Woodwork". Among various woodwork techniques, Suda creates exquisite pieces using the wood joinery technique, which is joining wood pieces without using any nails or other metal hardware. Not only does it look beautiful on the outside, but the structure and the inside is also beautiful to detail including the metal fittings that he makes himself. Just like his motto when making his artwork, to "be graceful and elegant", his artwork as a total is overflowing with grace and dignity. His artwork has been added to the collections of the British Museum in the UK and famous art museums in Japan.
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Kotaro Omura
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Yuzen Techniques Handed Down from 3 Masters
Kotaro Omura, a yuzen artist who received the MEXT Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. After graduating from arts college, he learned traditional yuzen techniques such as "itome yuzen" and "rofubukizome", a dyeing technique to finish the textile as if some snow fell on it, from 3 yuzen artists, Akeshi Kihara, Kihachiro Yoshida and his father Teiichi Omura. He took over his father's studio in Kyoto in 2013, and has been producing textiles up to today. On producing his textiles, Omura takes design cues from sketches. Animals such as fish and birds, plants, and scenery incorporated into modern designs are the charm of his work.
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Toshie Oki
Harmony of Lively Designs and Original Techniques
Toshie Oki has received many awards including the Grand Award, MEXT Award at the Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level wood and bamboo artists in Japan gather. She devoted herself in studying wood and bamboo art techniques under Living National Treasure Shokansai Iizuka who is said to have formed the base of today's bamboo art as his last apprentice. Currently, she uses her original technique called "takaori" which is creating ridge lines by weaving diagonally bent bamboo strips, and creates artwork with a lively design but with a gracious appearance. Her artwork has been added to the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, the oldest art museum in Australia, and is highly evaluated within Japan and overseas.
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Satoshi Hara
Enhancing the beauty of metal using traditional techniques and unique expressions
Satoshi Hara is a metalwork artist who forms his artwork by hammering a metal plate, and uses his original technique called nanako inlay. The lines and dots on the surface of the vessel look as if they have been painted, but actually, a high level inlay technique is used to inlay a different type of metal. Hara created a unique technique by combining the inlay technique with a traditional chasing technique called nanako where circles are consecutively engraved. His artwork with accurate and delicate designs have been awarded many times at the Metalwork Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of Living National Treasure to the up-and-coming artists gather, and have also been added to the collections of art museums overseas.
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Yosai Inoue
Putting Her Heart and Thoughts in Her Artwork
"I want to make graceful, beautiful, cute dolls that you would want to keep beside you all the time" says doll artist Yousai Inoue. She has received many awards including the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artworks in Japan gather. After learning about dolls with urushi lacquer finish from Living National Treasure Nobuko Akiyama, she too started studying about lacquer art. In her recent years, she has been using urushi lacquer to finish her dolls with soft luster. Urushi lacquer has excellent durability and has been used in many art pieces from long ago. She makes her dolls hoping that they will remain unchanged and everlasting.
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Hitoshi Awane
Creating the future of cloisonne with refined techniques
Cloisonne artist Hitoshi Awane is well known for his clear blue colors. He draws patterns on the cloisonne base using silver ribbon-like wires, and repeats the process of glazing and firing to create deep colors. Very precise and accurate techniques are required in each process from the beginning to completion. Awane specializes in three-dimensional figurative expressions on the base and does designing to processing by himself. He has been exploring new possibilities of expression using cloisonne. His numerous artworks that have elevated the traditional craft to art, have been awarded in Japan's top craft exhibitions, and have been highly evaluated within Japan and overseas.
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Manji Inoue
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Mastering the formative beauty of white porcelain with his extraordinary skills
Ceramic artist Manji Inoue makes ceramics at his studio that bears his name in Arita, Saga prefecture. He is famous for his neatly formed artwork created with excellent skills using the potter's wheel. After providing technical training overseas and holding several exhibitions, he was designated as Living National Treasure for "white porcelain" in 1995. He has been praised for his achievements in the art field and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon. With his sensitivity that matches the needs of times, his artwork is loved by many people both in Japan and overseas. The forms of his artwork have a slight sense of tension, but at the same time his artwork creates a unique, friendly atmosphere and gives pleasure to those who see and use them.
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Masakazu Ishihara
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Breaking new ground in the field of lacquerware with high quality traditional techniques and modern designs
Masakazu Ishihara studied under Living National Treasure and Sanuki lacquerware artist, Kodo Otomaru, and was designated as Intangible Cultural Property of Kagawa prefecture for choshitsu (lacquer carving) in 2011. His specialties are choshitsu, which is applying layers of lacquer and carving patterns to make them look three dimensional, and tsuishitsu inlay, which is inlaying parts applied with layers of lacquer. He has been awarded several times at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the most recent artwork of artists representing Japan gather. He established his own style, "creating lacquerware that is beautiful, yet practical in our modern life style, using high quality, traditional techniques", and is currently taking on new challenges to make innovative lacquerware that has never been made before.
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Masahiro Maeda
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Ceramics that give pleasure and brighten those who see it
Masahiro Maeda is a ceramic artist who celebrated his 50th year as an artist in 2022. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, he participated in various exhibitions in Japan and overseas. In 2009, he received the top award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award, and established a firm position as an artist. His artwork is not only collected by art museums in Japan, but also by famous museums overseas including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum. He is known for his unique lattice patterns that he creates using his original technique, which is repeating the process of applying extremely thin masking tape on the vessel, coloring and firing. He says, "the basics of crafts are to be bright, fun and beautiful". His colorful artwork of various sizes gives pleasure to those who see and use his artwork.
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Ryoko Murakami
Using beautiful plant dye colors and bold designs to create charming tsumugi weave
Tsumugi weave artist Ryoko Murakami creates kimonos with spun floss silk thread. She uses scenes of nature as motifs for her designs. Her exquisite designs using translucent colors of plant dye and innovative color composition are very popular. Murakami studied under Fukumi Shimura, Living National Treasure for tsumugi weave. While succeeding the tradition, she constantly seeks new designs and ways of expression. In 2015, she received the Japan Kōgei Association Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, which is the largest craft exhibition in Japan. In the following year, she was designated as Living National Treasure for tsumugi weave. She is currently dedicating her best effort to teach her successors while actively producing new kimonos as a leader of the tsumugi weave world.
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Imaemon Imaizumi XIV
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Techniques cultivated throughout a long history passed down to our modern world
Imaemon Imaizumi is the 14th generation Imaemon to succeed Iro-Nabeshima that has been produced since the Edo Period. He is the youngest in history to be designated as Living National Treasure for "overglaze enamel decorated porcelain". He has received several awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, where the top level artworks in Japan are gathered. His work has been added to the collections of famous museums and art museums in and outside of Japan including the British Museum in London. While succeeding the traditional techniques that his predecessors developed, he is always seeking how to make "modern Iro-Nabeshima", and continues to try unique techniques such as using platinum for overglaze decoration.
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Satoshi Ishida
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Emphasizing the delicate beauty of glass with Pâte de Verre
Pâte de Verre is a glass manufacturing technique that originated during the Ancient Mesopotamia period. Glass artist Satoshi Ishida grew up in a family where his parents Wataru and Seki Ishida studied this technique in Kyoto and enhanced it into a new category of art, "cast glass". While studying about glass art himself, he traveled around various countries in Asia, the Middle-East and the US to seek his original style. In 2006, he received the best award (the Japan Kōgei Association President Award) at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artworks in the Japan gather. The adventurous forms and delicate, exotic patterns are distinctive characteristics of his artwork.
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Ryuhei Sako
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Showing His One-and-Only Presence with His original Techniques
Patterns that look like wood grains called "mokumegane (wood grain metal)" are created by hammering layers of metal. The artworks of Ryuhei Sako, who has excellent skills to make wood grain metal, are very unique. The distinctive patterns and dignified aura of metal express his original mystical world. In 2003, he received the Tokyo Governor Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of Living National Treasures to young artists gather. Following this, he has received many other awards at various exhibitions. His artwork is collected by museums overseas. He is an artist highly evaluated and popular within Japan and abroad.
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Kazuo Yamagishi
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Expanding the Charm of Lacquerware with Sophisticated Chinkin (Gold Inlay) Techniques
Kazuo Yamagishi works at his studio in Wajima, an area famous for production of lacquerware. He was designated as Living National Treasure for his "Chinkin" techniques, which is inlaying gold powder into the grooves carved on the lacquered surface. The delicate and thin patterns that are barely visible, and the effective lines are all carved by hand. His excellent techniques and artistic expressions are highly evaluated, and in 2005, he received the Praemium Imperiale Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artists in Japan gather. He also made a sacred treasure for the Shikinen Sengu (construction of a new shrine) at Ise Jingu. His artwork, using natural motifs of Wajima and created with rich sensibility, charms people of all generations.
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Emi Yabuchi
Mixing traditional Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware techniques, colored lacquer and carvings
Many artists creating Kagawa urushi lacquerware, which has a history of 200 years, have been designated as Living National Treasures. Having been charmed by the traditional techniques unique to Kagawa lacquerware, Emi Yabuuchi is a lacquerware artist based in Kagawa. Yabuuchi has been highly praised for her skills in "Kinma", which is a technique where colored lacquer is applied into the carved lines and dots. She received her first award, New Artist Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2009, and since then, she has received various awards at exhibitions where the top lacquerware artists of Japan gather. She expresses natural scenery that she has seen using colored lacquer and creates a colorful, unique atmosphere, entertaining the eyes of those who see her artwork.
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Yasumasa Komiya
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Timeless kimonos loved for many generations
Yasumasa Komiya received the MEXT Award in 1983 and the Praemium Imperiale Award in 2006 at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level artworks in Japan gather. He was designated as Living National Treasure for Edo Komon in 2018. The Komiya family has been designated as Living National Treasure for three generations from Yasumasa's grandfather. While inheriting the traditional techniques of Edo Komon, he has made improvements to meet the needs of the times in his creations. Komiya says, "My aim is to create clear and bright colors that do not lose their brilliance for ages." The kimonos dyed by Komiya are handed down from parent to child and are cherished for many years.
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Hiroshi Nakada
Ceramics with the Beautiful Pearlish Luster
Hiroshi Nakada is a ceramic artist known for ceramics with sophisticated forms and pearlish luster. Although he uses clay for Kutani ware, he does not use the multi-colored overglaze enamels usually used for decorating Kutani ware, but uses his original technique called "Shinju Kosai (pearl luster)" where he draws thin delicate stripe patterns with pearl glaze that create a matte luster. Pearl glaze on the white porcelain base. These two different textures of white create an elegant brilliance that changes depending on the angle you see the vessel from. He received the Tokyo Governor Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2020, and is gaining attention domestically and internationally.
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Mamoru Nakagawa
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Seeking New Ways of Expression with Kaga Inlay
Mamoru Nakagawa was enchanted by the artwork of Kaishu Takahashi, metalwork artist from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, and started his career in producing Kaga Inlay. Not only did he succeed the traditional techniques that were nearly lost, but he added his unique modern designs, injecting new life into the traditional art. In 2004, he was designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for metal engraving. His artwork has been added to the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum in London. He has been giving lectures and performing demonstrations worldwide, and is passing on not only the traditional techniques, but also the charm of Kaga Inlay as a whole to the next generation.
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Michiko Matsumoto
Using translucent colors and delicate techniques
Plique-a-jour is a cloisonne with silver lines glistening within the transparent glass. As a leading plique-a-jour artist, Michiko Matsumoto received the Praemium Imperiale Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of the top craft artists gather in 2016. She is gaining more and more attention within Japan and overseas. Her artwork, created with a combination of refreshing colors, taking advantage of the unique characteristics of plique-a-jour, and abstract and simple patterns are charming. You will be sure to be fascinated by her world created with delicate techniques.
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Yasuhiro Asai
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Finely detailed maki-e techniques
Makie is a representative lacquerware technique that originally developed in Japan. Yasuhiro Asai is an artist gathering much attention with his makie techniques. After graduating from university, he started studying under Living National Treasure for makie, Kazumi Murose. He received the Japan Kōgei Association New Artist Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2012 for his Tortoiseshell Makie Jewelry Box "Path of Light” in which he tried to express the form of light, and received much attention. He is currently creating his artwork in his hometown Tottori, using precious urushi lacquer made in Japan. He fascinates his fans in Japan and abroad with his finely detailed works of art.
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Hafu Matsumoto
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Pursuing formative beauty by making the most of the characteristics of bamboo
Bamboo artist Hafu Matsumoto received attention for presenting a collaboration artwork with the Spanish fashion brand LOEWE in 2019. He studied under Living National Treasure Shokansai Iizuka, and is pursuing formative beauty that can only be made with bamboo. He makes a wide variety of bamboo artwork from delicate ajiro weave (wickerwork) pieces to those wilth bold designs using a large piece of stretched out bamboo wood, and has received many awards including the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award. He is currently creating new bamboo artworks in his workshop in Minami Boso, Chiba.
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Hiromine Nakamura
Expressing a moment of a story in his artwork
Artwork of doll artist Hiromine Nakamura, popular for his "Athlete Series" where he uses baseball players etc. as motifs, is based on traditional Hakata doll techniques. Born and raised in a doll artisan family as the fourth generation, he studied under his father Shinkyo Nakamura. He has been awarded several times at the West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in the Kyushu area where many traditional craft techniques have been handed down for generations. He received the New Artist Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2013, and his artwork has been selected several times from this year onward. His artwork that looks as if he has captured the movement and facial expression of a moment, enables us to imagine the whole story behind the artwork.
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Tomoko Eri
Brilliant techniques born from Buddhist art
Kirikane is a technique for mainly decorating Buddha statues and Buddhist paintings. It was introduced to Japan from China around the 6th century together with Buddhism. Tomoko Eri has engaged in decorating Buddha statues herself, but at the same time, she has been using Kirikane techniques that haven't changed for more than 1000 years in her modern artwork. Her elaborate and delicate works of art have been highly evaluated, receiving the New Artist Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2011 and being selected for other various art exhibitions. Following her late mother and Living National Treasure, Sayoko Eri's last wishes, she is currently trying to sublimate traditional Kirikane into artwork that blends with the modern world.
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Akira Watanabe
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Expressing the beauty of light with unique techniques
Glass artist, Akira Watanabe has received many awards with his exquisite artwork. He also received the Medal with Purple Ribbon which is a medal awarded to distinguished persons in the field of art in 2008. After graduating from Kyoto University, he learned glass working in Australia and developed his original glass layering technique called "sekiso". Gold powder and colored glass grains sprinkled between the layers of glass sparkle within the glass, and prisms of light are created by cutting the glass with traditional "Kiriko" (cut glass) techniques. His artwork charms those who see them.
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Ryuichi Kakurezaki
Unique artwork created with clay and fire
Bizen ware is one of the six ancient kilns where the production of ceramics began in Japan, and has a history of 800 years. Ceramic artist Ryuichi Kakurezaki moved to Bizen from his hometown, and has been producing Bizen ware ceramics to enhance and develop its long tradition. As he says, "I want to treasure my connection with clay", the charm of his artwork is the texture of clay and the colors made by firing. The forms of his artwork are new and original, and he has been invited several times to exhibit at exhibitions in famous museums around the world. He received the MEXT Award at the 69th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2022). He is one of the ceramists representing Bizen, and actively promoting Bizen ware.
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Sadatsugu Shinjo
Applying original techniques to elevate the forms of tea bowls
Hagi ware has been popular for use in tea ceremony. Sadatsugu Shinjo is the 14th Generation of the "Shinjo Sukeemon Kiln" which was established in the beginning of the 17th century when the production of Hagi ware started. The round form of the tea bowls that fit in the hands have been highly valued not only among masters of tea ceremony, but also by ceramic art lovers and researchers. He has submitted his artwork to various exhibitions overseas, and his work has been added to the collection of the British Museum in the UK.
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Tetsu Suzuki
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A Unique World Made with Green Glaze
"I try to make things that are unique and new, yet powerful with a strong presence. " As he says, ceramic artist Tetsu Suzuki's artwork is based on Oribe ware, but he doesn't just follow the tradition. He creates his own unique world by making polygonal forms with many sides and by using bright green glaze. He has been awarded several times at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition where the top level artwork in Japan gather. He is currently working on tricolor glaze to make a beautiful gradation of colors with three different types of glazes, and continues his challenge to aim at a higher level.
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Norihiko Ogura
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Charmed by Techniques That Go Beyond the Frame of Lacquerware
Norihiko Ogura, a lacquerware artist whose speciality is motifs of plants and scenery. With his outstanding skills, he is a master of using various lacquerware techniques. He has submitted his artwork to many exhibitions, not only within Japan, but also overseas, and has been highly recognized. In his recent years, he has been working more on pictorial expressions that nobody has ever done before, and has been producing "maki-e panels" by using lacquerware techniques to paint scenery like oil paintings or watercolor paintings. Within this process, he has created his own unique methods. As one of the lacquerware artists who draws attention worldwide, he is connecting and passing on the lacquerware culture that has a history of 1200 years to the future generations.
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Kan Takahashi
Traditional Yuzen dyeing in modern designs
Yuzen dyeing is one of the dyeing techniques that represent Japan. Kan Takahashi started his career in dyeing as a teenager, and studied under Living National Treasure, Katsuma Nakamura. "Applying resist glue and dyeing. Applying resist glue again then dyeing. The fabric becomes sophisticated through this simple process." As Takahashi says, the patterns dyed on his fabric are geometric, but are not just practical patterns lacking warmth. Far from it, they even have a soft and warm impression. His kimonos where his unique designs are added to traditional Yuzen dyeing are enjoyed by many people.
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Kazuo Nakada
Establishing his original technique by challenging to use silver leaf
Ceramic artist Kazuo Nakada has marked a new phase in the world of traditional Kutani ware by using silver leaf that everyone had been avoiding. As he wanted to express the beauty of silver in his work, he tried using silver leaf instead of gold leaf, and as a result, established his original technique "Yuri ginsai". He continues to create new artwork and is active in the front lines as of today. He cuts the silver leaf into beautiful shapes of plants and other various shapes, and embeds them in the vessel with overglaze. Its beauty is everlasting.
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Tamotsu Hannya
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Creating mysterious patterns with traditional techniques
Tamotsu Hannya has received awards such as the Japan Kogei Association President Award and the MEXT Award which are the best awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level art work in Japan is gathered. He uses his original technique called "fukiwake" where he pours in different kinds of metals alternately to create a modern and unique pattern. The innovative and novel designs created by the contrast of black and gold colors are what make Hannya's artwork original and special. His modern designed artwork has been dedicated to Yakushiji in Nara, and are also housed at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
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Nobuo Matsubara
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Traditional Aizome (Indigo Dyed Textiles) from the Edo Period
"Nagaita Chūgata" is a traditional indigo dyeing method using paper patterns. A middle sized pattern is placed on a long board for dyeing. The cloth is indigo dyed from both the front and back sides. The roots of this method is said to be the dyeing techniques for summer kimonos in the Edo Period. His grandfather was designated as Living National Treasure for "Nagaita Chūgata", and following his footsteps, Nobuo himself started his career in textiles. As a third generation artisan, he creates textiles that are suitable for our modern life. His work, with a beautiful contrast of indigo and white, has been awarded several times at the top class craft exhibitions in Japan. He has also received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2021 for his contribution in the art field.
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Masato Kigasawa
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Creating artwork with techniques that have a history of 200 years
Since glass was introduced to Japan from Europe approximately 200 years ago, the techniques for kiriko (cut glass) have been passed down from generation to generation in Edo and Satsuma. Kigasawa, who has been involved in the reproduction of Edo Kiriko and Satsuma Kiriko and has detailed knowledge of cut glass, has been seeking new possibilities that fit with the times. By deeply cutting the thick glass material, he expresses the reflections of light that are unique to glass as well as the background reflections in a more fascinating way. He has received many awards and his work has been purchased by the Imperial Household Agency.
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Shu Mochizuki
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Expressing his inspirations from nature with unique techniques
Shu Mochizuki is a ceramic artist whose representative motifs are camellias. He became fascinated by ceramic art while he was a student at Tokyo University of the Arts, and has been creating pieces being inspired by nature ever since. In 2019, he received the Japan Kōgei Association President Award, which is the best award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artwork of the top level artists in Japan gather. Although his designs of natural motifs are dynamic, his artwork is very sensitive as he bakes the pieces several times in different temperatures to create slight differences in the texture. He is a highly respected ceramic artist and is popular in Japan as well as overseas.
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Shinkyo Nakamura
Bringing a fresh sensitivity to traditional Hakata Dolls
Shinkyo Nakamura majored in wood carving at university, and entered the world of doll making later on. He has received various awards at traditional craft exhibitions, and is a doll artist that represents Japan. He produces dolls for a traditional event called "Hakata Gion Yamakasa" at his hometown, Hakata, but at the same time, he takes on new challenges. He produces a series of Hakata dolls with a western appearance called, "The Mission of Youths to the West in the Tensho Era" (a mission of boys sent to Rome in 1582), and has presented some of these dolls to the Pope when he was received in audience by him. As he says, "There is always a story in the world of dolls. I hope you will feel the story in the background when seeing them." , his dolls will surely capture your imagination.
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Iwao Shinno
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Seeing new possibilities in sophisticated celadon
Shinnou aimed to become a ceramic artist after encountering Chinese celadon. He thought he would like to create a light, yet deep and transparent blue color, and started to learn ceramics after graduating university. His work gradually gained attention, and he has received high evaluation through the years. He has submitted his artwork to exhibitions in and outside of Japan, and many of his pieces have been added to public collections of art museums in various places. In his studio near Lake Biwa, he makes ceramic works on the theme of the root of life, inspired by the movement of water and the blue of the lake and sky. The patterns created by his unique technique called "Tsuiji" ( making slip from china clay and brushing on layers of the slip to decorate.) look like DNA spirals.
The form and decorations are integrated as a whole, creating a beautiful piece that only Shinnou can make.
Hozan Nagura V
The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.
echniques and tradition propelling practical items to works of art
Few people would think that an ink stone (a natural stone to grind ink sticks to prepare ink for calligraphy) is a craft. But Hozan Nagura added his molding and carving techniques to this traditional, practical tool and enhanced it into an artistic craft. For a long time, ink stones made in China were highly appreciated in Japan. His ink stone was the first to receive recognition from the Japanese government, and his artwork has been added to the collection of the Tokyo National Museum. He has made a big contribution in elevating the ink stone to an "artistic craft" while maintaining its practical aspect to produce ink. There are no limits to the evolution of his creativity.
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Michiko Sugiura
The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.
Exquisite deformations that people can relate to
Doll artist, Sugiura, aims to make dolls that people can relate to and those that match the modern living space. She says, "I always try to make my dolls easy to understand by exaggerating and simplifying the form, yet not making them abstract. This is how to 'make human forms into dolls'." You can feel liveliness from the figure of her dolls and be charmed with the dolls' friendly faces. To create a gentle texture and express delicate nuances, carefully selected traditional Japanese paper is used for the face. Although Sugiura started making dolls as a hobby, she has received several craft awards throughout the years, and her performance as a doll artist is outstanding.
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Zenzo Fukushima
"Challenging tradition" to create high artistic quality
Zenzo Fukushima is a Living National Treasure for "Koishiwara ware" which was praised as "the extreme of the beauty of use" by art critic Muneyoshi Yanagi. He received the Grand Award at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, where the highest level ceramics in Japan gather. Usually, one would think this appraisal and status would be permanent, but Fukushima says "I will not be highly praised with the same style", and moves on, seeking new expressions. He does the whole process from making clay to firing by himself. Although he was born to the family of a Koishiwara ware kiln, he does not cling to tradition and never forgets to take on new challenges. His representative work are the bluish pieces with a milky white finish. Although he does not carve patterns which are a characteristic of Koishiwara ware, his work is praised for its beauty.
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Yoshinori Tsuchiya
The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.
Textiles with a unique transparency created by using plant dyeing and hand weaving techniques
Tsuchiya creates textiles with a unique transparency, using exquisite gradation or combination of colors. As a student studying textiles, he became interested in the beautiful colors of plant dye, and started plant dyeing. He mainly produces "figured gauze" which has a feel of transparency. The designs of his textiles are based on stories, pictures and nature, and he hand weaves the threads that he dyes himself. The textiles that take a long time to weave are like dragonfly wings. Tsuchiya has received several traditional craft awards as well as the Medal with Purple Ribbon, which is a medal awarded to people who are recognized for achievements in the art field.
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Hayato Otani
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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.
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Akihiro Maeta
The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.
A feeling of softness and tension both exist in his artwork
Akihiro Maeta, designated as Living National Treasure for white porcelain, makes his artwork based on traditional methods of ceramics, but seeks for unique forms. He always works on his pieces as if he is challenging the clay, and puts what he feels from the plain white clay into shape using the potter's wheel. His artwork that stands with a dignified look, yet at the same time has a feeling of softness, is created in this way. His artwork that expresses exactly what he feels, is highly evaluated, and is held by many art museums within Japan and abroad.
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