Biography

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.)

Works
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Long Black Lacquer Tray (with natural wood grain), 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Long Black Lacquer Tray (with natural wood grain), 2018
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Long black lacquer tray 黒漆銀鎬長皿
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Long black lacquer tray 黒漆銀鎬長皿
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Keyaki black lacquer round tray
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Keyaki black lacquer round tray
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆日の丸盆, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆日の丸盆, 2017
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆塗分四方盆(内側:拭漆) - Vermillion lacquer square tray, 2013
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆塗分四方盆(内側:拭漆) - Vermillion lacquer square tray, 2013
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tochi tree square lacquer tray
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tochi tree square lacquer tray
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 拭漆黒楕円箱, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    拭漆黒楕円箱, 2020
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円箱, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円箱, 2019
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Lacquer Plate
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Lacquer Plate
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Lacquer Tea Ware
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Lacquer Tea Ware
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Long Tray
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Long Tray
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀鎬足付皿 - Ridged Tray with Legs, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀鎬足付皿 - Ridged Tray with Legs, 2017
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Sumimaru Tray - 塗分すみまる四方盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Sumimaru Tray - 塗分すみまる四方盆
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tray, 2012
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tray, 2012
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tray
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tray
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tray - 黒漆銀塗分四方盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tray - 黒漆銀塗分四方盆
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tray, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tray, 2017
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆縁銀四方盆 3枚組
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆縁銀四方盆 3枚組
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Keyaki Lacquer Container, 2014
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Keyaki Lacquer Container, 2014
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Tochi tree lacquer container , 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Tochi tree lacquer container , 2017
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Vermillion lacquer tea caddy , 2021
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Vermillion lacquer tea caddy , 2021
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Black Lacquer Long Tray, 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Black Lacquer Long Tray, 2018
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Black lacquer tray with ridged foot 黒漆銀鎬足付皿
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Black lacquer tray with ridged foot 黒漆銀鎬足付皿
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Chestnut Wiped Lacquer Silver Tray
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Chestnut Wiped Lacquer Silver Tray
    Lacquer
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, Long black lacquer tray 黒漆銀鎬長皿
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    Long black lacquer tray 黒漆銀鎬長皿
    Lacquer
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