Toshio Tokunaga Japanese, b. 1952

Toshio Tokunaga was born in 1952 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at Iwate University in 1974 and apprenticed under 'Living National Treasure' Hekigai Takeuchi, becoming a member of the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Association in 1985. He built his studio at Yokaway Town, Hyogo in 1990.

In 2002, Tokunaga produced the ‘Decorated Mulberry Go Board’ to celebrate the 1100^th anniversary of the founding of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine of Fukuoka, now considered one of its sacred treasures. The following year, he was invited to participate in the 'Contemporary Furniture and Woodworks in Japan' exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

Since then he paved the way for apprentices such as Austin Voll (of studiovoll) and Fed Dodson (of Tatara Workshop), and sells Hassui Ceramic glass coating for wider audiences to learn this precious craft. Tokunaga exhibited with Ippodo Gallery at SOFA (Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design) in Chicago in 2014, and at Collect, the international art fair for modern craft and design, in London in 2015.

1974      Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at Iwate University

                Began to study under the 'Living National Treasure', Hekigai Takeuchi

1985       Became a regular member of the japan Traditional Art Crafts Association

1990       Built a new studio at Yokawa Town, Hyogo.

2002       Produced the 'Decorated Mulberry Go Board' as one of the sacred treasures created to celebrate                   the 1100th anniversary of the founding of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Fukuoka.

2003       Invited to participate in the contemporary Furniture and Woodworks in Japan' exhibition at                         the  National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.