Since ancient times, Japan has nurtured a culture of beautifully presenting and carefully storing items, from special boxes for letters to containers and bags for tea ceremony tools. Even today, the spirit of placing everyday small items or cherished belongings into preferred vessels continues to be passed down through daily life. This exhibition focuses on the acts of “containing” and “storing,” presenting a wide variety of containers, from those designed for storage to vessels for serving food. Some of the pieces are by artists being introduced at ARTS&SCIENCE for the first time. We invite you to visit us and experience this special event.
List of Artists
Kang Suk-Keun
Born and raised in the lush natural surroundings of Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Kang’s journey as a woodworker began with crafting wooden toys for his child, which led him to pursue woodworking in earnest. Drawing inspiration from nature, he creates a wide range of works, from everyday vessels to large-scale pieces. Using primarily locally sourced wood, he incorporates the traditional Korean lacquer technique Ottchil (옻칠) while also employing a unique high-temperature curing method he developed to enhance the durability and functionality of his pieces. Kang’s lightweight, beautifully crafted works, which honor the natural qualities of wood, are highly regarded worldwide.
Born and raised in the lush natural surroundings of Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Kang’s journey as a woodworker began with crafting wooden toys for his child, which led him to pursue woodworking in earnest. Drawing inspiration from nature, he creates a wide range of works, from everyday vessels to large-scale pieces. Using primarily locally sourced wood, he incorporates the traditional Korean lacquer technique Ottchil (옻칠) while also employing a unique high-temperature curing method he developed to enhance the durability and functionality of his pieces. Kang’s lightweight, beautifully crafted works, which honor the natural qualities of wood, are highly regarded worldwide.
Masamitsu Kunugi
Masamitsu Kunugi, a woven product craftsman born in 1986, has roots in both Korea and Japan. He graduated from Bunka Fashion College’s Apparel Technology Department in 2008 and studied restoration at a Scandinavian furniture shop in Tokyo. In 2011, he pursued studies in Denmark, where he delved into environmental issues and peace at a school with a multicultural student body. During his travels in New Zealand, he fortuitously encountered the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, which inspired him greatly. In 2019, he moved to Nagano, where he now weaves baskets and contemplates the universe.
Masamitsu Kunugi, a woven product craftsman born in 1986, has roots in both Korea and Japan. He graduated from Bunka Fashion College’s Apparel Technology Department in 2008 and studied restoration at a Scandinavian furniture shop in Tokyo. In 2011, he pursued studies in Denmark, where he delved into environmental issues and peace at a school with a multicultural student body. During his travels in New Zealand, he fortuitously encountered the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, which inspired him greatly. In 2019, he moved to Nagano, where he now weaves baskets and contemplates the universe.
Hiroaki Yazawa
Lacquerware artist, born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1977. Coming from a family of lacquerware artisans, Yazawa grew up using lacquerware daily, developing an appreciation for its comfort and beauty from an early age. He studied film at university but later chose to pursue a career in lacquer arts. Working primarily with domestically grown wood, he carefully selects techniques such as woodturning and hand-carving to suit each form. Yazawa’s simple vessels, designed with the user in mind, embody both the warmth of handcraftsmanship and a refined elegance.
Lacquerware artist, born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1977. Coming from a family of lacquerware artisans, Yazawa grew up using lacquerware daily, developing an appreciation for its comfort and beauty from an early age. He studied film at university but later chose to pursue a career in lacquer arts. Working primarily with domestically grown wood, he carefully selects techniques such as woodturning and hand-carving to suit each form. Yazawa’s simple vessels, designed with the user in mind, embody both the warmth of handcraftsmanship and a refined elegance.
Mitsuhiro Yazawa
Lacquerware artist Mitsuhiro Yazawa was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1946. After withdrawing from Musashino Art University in 1966, Yazawa studied woodcarving techniques under a sculptor for two years. He learned the technique of lacquer at his father’s studio, which specialized in Kamakura-bori. As an independent artist, Yazawa’s philosophy is to create pottery that deepens in expression and beauty as it is used and to work unrestricted by any preconceived framework to develop a rich range of techniques. Yazawa regularly presents solo exhibitions throughout Japan.
Lacquerware artist Mitsuhiro Yazawa was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1946. After withdrawing from Musashino Art University in 1966, Yazawa studied woodcarving techniques under a sculptor for two years. He learned the technique of lacquer at his father’s studio, which specialized in Kamakura-bori. As an independent artist, Yazawa’s philosophy is to create pottery that deepens in expression and beauty as it is used and to work unrestricted by any preconceived framework to develop a rich range of techniques. Yazawa regularly presents solo exhibitions throughout Japan.
Light & Will
Naoyoshi Maeda began his work in 2013 and, in 2016, relocated to Miyama, Kyoto, a district designated for the preservation of important traditional buildings. For centuries, baskets have been an essential part of daily life in Japan, crafted from plants that thrive in the country’s diverse climates and shaped by a variety of traditional techniques. From Tohoku to Okinawa, Maeda travels across Japan, visiting artisans, sometimes venturing into the mountains with them to gather materials, and sharing in the process of making. Immersing himself in their craft, he seeks out baskets of timeless beauty. As the number of skilled artisans continues to dwindle with age, Maeda journeys in search of these traditional baskets, forging connections between the past, present, and future.
Naoyoshi Maeda began his work in 2013 and, in 2016, relocated to Miyama, Kyoto, a district designated for the preservation of important traditional buildings. For centuries, baskets have been an essential part of daily life in Japan, crafted from plants that thrive in the country’s diverse climates and shaped by a variety of traditional techniques. From Tohoku to Okinawa, Maeda travels across Japan, visiting artisans, sometimes venturing into the mountains with them to gather materials, and sharing in the process of making. Immersing himself in their craft, he seeks out baskets of timeless beauty. As the number of skilled artisans continues to dwindle with age, Maeda journeys in search of these traditional baskets, forging connections between the past, present, and future.
Yukie Wakabayashi
Yukie Wakabayashi is a lacquer artist born in Tokyo. In 1998, she completed the Lacquer Art program in the Graduate School of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts. Since 2001, she has actively presented her work through solo and group exhibitions, establishing herself as an artist. Now based in Kawagoe, Saitama, she oversees the entire process from woodworking to lacquering. Using a lathe or carving directly from solid blocks of wood, she employs the traditional fuki-urushi technique, in which natural urushi lacquer is applied and repeatedly wiped away with cloth to create a distinctive finish. Her work highlights the innate strength of wood, resulting in forms that feel both raw and fluid. While some pieces have a sculptural presence, they are also well-suited for everyday use, developing a deeper luster and rich patina over time—qualities unique to lacquer.
Yukie Wakabayashi is a lacquer artist born in Tokyo. In 1998, she completed the Lacquer Art program in the Graduate School of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts. Since 2001, she has actively presented her work through solo and group exhibitions, establishing herself as an artist. Now based in Kawagoe, Saitama, she oversees the entire process from woodworking to lacquering. Using a lathe or carving directly from solid blocks of wood, she employs the traditional fuki-urushi technique, in which natural urushi lacquer is applied and repeatedly wiped away with cloth to create a distinctive finish. Her work highlights the innate strength of wood, resulting in forms that feel both raw and fluid. While some pieces have a sculptural presence, they are also well-suited for everyday use, developing a deeper luster and rich patina over time—qualities unique to lacquer.
