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 1100th 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.
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Year in Review
Reflecting on the Exhibitions of 2022 2023年1月4日Yukiya Izumita, “Stream of Time” 2022 began with Yukiya Izumita’s “Layers of Time,” an impressive showing of the artist’s newest works. The ceramicist began...Read more -
Kanna
2022年5月11日Kanna is a tool that has over one hundred years of history. This Japanese tool is minimally designed and used without any unnecessary waste. Nowadays,...Read more -
The Vegetal World of Wonder
2022年4月2日Nature brings together the world. Toshio Tokunaga's exhibition gives voice to various trees such as the zelkova, Yoshino cedar, Kozo, and Black persimmon. This intimate...Read more