W31×D16×H16cm

Materials: Lacquer, hemp cloth, Japanese paper, gold, shell, pigments
Techniques: Dry lacquer, Kawari-nuri, Maki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay

At first glance, the piece may looks like a leather product with zippers, but in fact it is all crafted using traditional lacquer techniques. Formed through the dry lacquer technique, layering hemp cloth with lacquer, the metal fittings are maki-e* , while Kawari-nuri** replicates the texture of the leather. The theme of these pieces is "visualizing perceptions." Zippers and leather goods are something familiar to most people, almost like a "surface covering what's inside." This piece is a simple box with a zipper that cannot be opened. Upon lifting the lid, you'll find Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden) decorations on black lacquer, revealing this piece's origin in lacquer.

*Maki-e (literally, “sprinkled picture”) is a technique in which a picture or pattern is drawn in lacquer, gold or silver powder is sprinkled on the lacquer before it dries, and the adhesive force of the lacquer hardens it to form a pattern or design.
**Kwari-nuri is a general term for techniques that take full advantage of the special characteristics of lacquer. It encompasses various techniques, such as repeatedly applying and polishing multiple coats of colored lacquer or utilizing the adhesive strength of lacquer.
Reference: KOUGEI STANDARD - JAPANESE CRAFTS ONLINE MEDIA: https://www.kogeistandard.com/resource/

Japanese craftsmanship has been honed over a long history.

What makes it unquie and attarctive is the amount of dedication and attention Japanese craftmen put into hidden details.

As a craft creator in Japan, I'll keep working hard to understand and share the real charm of Japanese culture.

——SASAKI Gakuto