Tohru Matsuzaki

Using chisels and planes , Tohru Matsuzaki carves the basic forms for his work from valuable blocks of solid zelkova or chestnut wood, finishing them in thick coatings of Japanese urushi lacquer.
He creates forms that appear simple but are highly refined; the vermilion red lacquer evokes images of the Jomon period (ca 11000 BC - ca 300 BC).

These unique works can be said to embody the essence of the Japanese ‘Mingei' folk craft movement.

Selected Exhibitions/Awards

1982 Received the Kokugakai New Talent Award
1987 Received the Kokugakai Affiliate Award for Excellence
1988 Nominated for membership of the Kokugakai.
2001 Produced the vases for Daniel Ost's “Daniel Ost Flower Festival” in Tokyo 2002 Contributed to Shigeru Uchida's Exhibit at the “Salone Internazionale del

Mobile 2002” (Milan, Italy)
2003 ‘Turning Point: Oribe and the Arts of Sixteenth Century Japan” exhibition at

the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
2006-2009 Become a Chairman of the Judging Committee of Craft Section of the Kokugakai
2009&2012 Solo exhibition at Ippodo Gallery New York (New York, U.S.A.)