Abstract

This is the first collection of works and essays by Yukio Homma, the unconventional urushi lacquerware artist receiving high acclaims from Japan and abroad. He established a unique style of studio that covers all processes from growing urushi trees to creating art pieces. The book introduces his signature collection of urushi works using bark as well as those featuring wood surface and varnished with very rare and precious kinshitsu (golden urushi). Readers may be also touched with the creator’s passion and techniques behind those works. Based on its own experience as craftsman, the author also discusses on his ambition for preserving traditional craft techniques, urushi craftsmanship, and the future of urushi lacquering.

【From the Author】
I think that Japanese people tend to value Utsuroi, or a “transitional” being, more than Westerners do. Utsuroi refers to the notion that everything is changing slowly as time passes. This notion can be found most apparent in the use of natural materials in Japanese wooden crafts, pottery, urushi lacquerware, dyeing, woven clothes, drawings/paintings and architecture. Utsuroi is the most critical and basic idea for my works that are made of tree bark and varnished with urushi lacquering. My works will start changing their textures gradually as soon as they are completed, to show us a rich variety of impressions every now and then.

Author’s Information

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