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Thread: Urushi Artists (Commission)

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    Default Urushi Artists (Commission)

    Some things to be said here. I am dividing this list into three sections (1) retired/not accepting work (2) Japanese (3) non-Japanese.
    To some of these artists I have not asked for a commission. I will mark these in the notes.

    I make a clear distinction between non-Japanese and Japanese because of two reasons. One, having a formal training in anything is different than experimenting by one's self - though I cannot say for certain who has or who has not. Second, a language barrier exists when trying to communicate ideas and thoughts through a translator.

    For the first point, I am not criticizing the works of lacquer artists that have not received this education because at the end of the day, the work that all artists produce is fantastic and by no means inferior to my eyes. However, I am ignorant to the technique or the skill at which the urushi was lacquered - I can only comment on how my eyes see the beauty. While I think it is important to receive a education, I also think that innovation and non-traditional methods can be as good as, if not better, than traditional techniques....

    Secondly, I think while language barriers can exist... there are workarounds and if the artist is accommodating than commissioning is not too big of an issue.

    There are many other unknown artists within Japan, if you dig a bit and search around....

    Here is the list so far, (10/13/2020)



    (1) Retired/Not accepting new work

    Ernest Shin @ Hakumin Urushi // http://www.hakuminurushi.com/
    instagram: N/A
    Note: "restructuring the business"


    (2) Japanese

    Hiroko Makino @ Bokumondoh // https://www.bokumondoh.com/
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bokumondoh/
    Note: Accepts commissions, but only pre-made designs for people who are not able to speak Japanese

    NOMURA masako //https://urushinomura.jimdofree.com/
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masoho_urushi/
    Note: Accepted work for Stylo Art, UNKNOWN IF COMMISSION IS ACCEPTED

    Kobu Kogaku //https://kogaku-makie.com/
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobo_kogaku/
    Note: Collaboration with Danitrio, UNKNOWN IF COMMISSION IS ACCEPTED


    Takashi Wakamiya @ Hikoju Maki-e Studio // http://158.199.252.179/en/index.html
    instagram:
    Note: Referenced by Mr. Pauli (Manupropia), UNKNOWN IF COMMISSION IS ACCEPTED


    Isao & Sayuri Ota @ Ota Urushi Studio // http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~ota-studio/index2.html
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ota_urushi_studio/
    Note: Accepts commissions on variety of materials... do note that Mr. Isao uses a translator for communication/doesn't speak English fluently. Mr. Isao is the painter while Ms. Sayuri is the makie-artist. On AGJ store, you can find their work under the name of artist "Yuri."


    (3) Non-Japanese

    Martin Pauli @ Manu Propria //https://www.manupropria-pens.ch/welcome.html
    instagram:
    note: I am sure you are familiar with Mr. Pauli's work, he accepts custom work on certain materials as indicated by the post below. He can be found on this forum!


    Jonathon Brooks @ Carolina Pen Company // https://www.carolinapencompany.com/
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinapencompany/
    note: has a wait list, will work with you on designs

    Vivek Kulkarni @ Urushi Studio India // https://urushistudioindia.com/
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urushi_studio_india/
    note:

    Michal Kulka @ Tamenuri Studio // https://tamenuri.com/
    instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tamenuri_studio/
    note: Michal can also be found here in this forum, he uploads Nakaya reviews if I remember correctly.







    I apologize in advance if I have misspelled or misrepresented any of the artists above. If there is a problem with the content please comment or send me a PM and I will take care of it.

    If you are an artist/know of an artist please mention it in the comments below or send me a PM, as this can be a evolving list.
    Last edited by sworist; October 13th, 2020 at 02:22 PM.

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    Default Re: Urushi Artists (Commission)

    Thank you for mentioning my work

    Some thoughts on your opinion regarding Japanese and non-Japanese Urushi.

    I think it is important to know the achievements of a craftsman before evaluating his works

    Many of my Japanese Lacquer Friends complain that in Japan, people who have completed their training, master the techniques learned in the studio perfectly but lack of spontaneity and creativity. A master/studio is specialized often on one single technique which they execute over generations with little development but constantly improoving quality.
    A friend of mine is specialized on making things of daily use with «Nuritate» lacquer Final Coat of urushi without polishing. It is some of the best and most beautiful of such kind of work I have ever seen. Until the day we met he has never in his life polished lacquer before.

    in Maki-e techniques traditionally several specialists are involved, one studio that applies the foundation, one who applies middle and top layers including polishing, then a specialized Artist applies the Maki-e.

    I am in constant exchange with Japanese lacquer friends, among them also the Hikoju Maki-e Studio http://158.199.252.179/en/index.html
    All these lacquer friends are endeavored to break these chains by trying to spread knowledge on Urushi lacquer and encouraging people in the West to start working with this exceptional material

    I have taught myself the Urushi trade since 2012 but I look back on 45 years of art and craft in which I have achieved international reputation as a custom knifemaker in the 1980s, Goldsmithing, Metalworking and Engraver in the 1990s and Watchmaker since 1998 under the name angularmomentum.com. Further on I am involved in Japanese arts and philosophy for many decades and have written several books and hundreds of articles for art and scientific magazines around the world. The more crafts one has touched the easier it becomes to understand and learn a new craft, as it is with learning languages.

    In my lacquer work I am focused on the reconstruction of old and development of new so-called Experimental Lacquer known as «Kawarinuri» or Sayanuri» Saya = Sword Sheath and offer today over 120 different lacquers.
    Experimental lacquer rose in early Edo Period 17th Century according to a decree by the Shogunate that said that it was forbidden for people of lower rank like merchants or samurai to own Maki-e lacquer work with gold. Over the centuries countless techniques were developed by numerous artists

    Finally to answer your question, yes I do commission work but only on long lasting materials like Ebonite and bamboo.

    Best regards,

    Martin

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    Default Re: Urushi Artists (Commission)

    Mr. Pauli,

    Thank you for your kind response. When I first looked up urushi pens, I came across various Pilots and your work. I have enjoyed seeing many of your designs (in this forum and elsewhere), and have always appreciated your efforts in de-mystifying the process in which urushi is applied.

    I have two questions/requests:

    First, if you know of studios in Japan that will take commissions, please let me know.

    Second, could you further elaborate on "one studio that applies the foundation, one who applies middle and top layers including polishing, then a specialized Artist applies the Maki-e"

    Thank You,

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    Default Re: Urushi Artists (Commission)

    Hi There,

    Thank you for your kind words.

    (I have already ansvered your questions October 13th but the post has disappeared.)

    However, I cannot give you names and addresses of urushi studios that accept commissions from foreign countries.
    There are very few people speaking English, outside the big cities it is additionally hard to find English speaking people.
    There are studios working for watch brands as for example Chopard (Masumura Kiichiro, a Japanese artist, considered a “Living National Treasure). Nakaya has not employed lacquer artists but work with a large number of specialized, small "urushikobo" studios, so do AP Limited and Danitrio.

    I am in exchange with several urushi artists in Japan among them Wakamiya Takashi with his Hikoju Maki-e Studio.
    The Studio was foundet by Wakamiya san (considered one of the best and most creative Urushi Artists) as an extravagant concept.
    The studio works as it was common in the Momoyama and Edo Period whn te Shogun or Lords run their own swordmaking, ceramic or in this case a lacquer studio with a wide range of specialists to realize highest quality lacquer objects for being used in their own hosehold, for personal admiration of the familiy members or used for giftst. The Hikoju Studio realizes experimental works reaching the limits of lacquer.

    Best regards,

    Martin
    c-6.jpgc-7.jpgc-8.jpg

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