• Asia Week 2023: celebrating Ippodo Gallery NY's 15th anniversary

    Terumasa Ikeda (born 1987) is an innovative lacquer artist who fabricates shimmering mother-of-pearl designs ingrained into the surface of wood in the raden technique. Ikeda’s idea is strikingly modern; the high-tech motifs that transform the surface into an electronic interface bridge the worlds of classical and contemporary lacquer. 

  • Where once humans worshiped the divine, the virtual world now reigns supreme. Terumasa Ikeda's futuristic expression is a search for...
    Where once humans worshiped the divine, the virtual world now reigns supreme. Terumasa Ikeda's futuristic expression is a search for handmade beauty in an increasingly industrialized world.
  • Experiencing the natural beauty of Japan, 

    And admiring the cultures and music of the world, 

    I encountered decoration. 

     

    In every civilization, the decorative arts reflect its power, society and aesthetics. 

    They represent its history and the development of wisdom that separates us from nature. 

    When we look at great artworks and the legacy of the past, they appear shrouded in sanctity. 

     

    Continuing the traditions of the past while searching for an unknowable future, 

    I want to capture images that express our times as I move forward. 

     

    ----- Terumasa Ikeda 

  • 日本の美しい自然を感じ、

    世界中の文化や音楽に憧れ、

    そして装飾に出会いました。

     

    世界中のどんな文明でも、装飾は力と社会と美意識を反映してきました。

    それは歴史であり、自然とは一線を画す人智の進歩です。

    過去の名品や遺産と向き合う時、その空間は聖性を纏います。

     

    脈々と続く過去を受け継ぎ、未知なる未来を探しながら

    この時代を映し留めたいと思い進んでいます。

     

    ------ 池田晃将

  • He (Shinya Yamamura) has instilled in Ikeda not just an extraordinarily high level of manual skill and devotion to total...
    He (Shinya Yamamura) has instilled in Ikeda not just an extraordinarily high level of manual skill and devotion to total perfection but also the freedom to build on these qualities and open up the way to startling new episodes in the long history of lacquer in Japan.

    ----- Joe Earle

  • Through his unique methods, animated designs, and technical wizardry, Ikeda is the Zeshin of our time and should equally delight...
    Through his unique methods, animated designs, and technical wizardry, Ikeda is the Zeshin of our time and should equally delight a Western audience with his first New York show.

    ----- Deborah A. Goldberg, P.h.D. 

  • In this modern day, is there a shared visual language? The visual language of raden, which began as ornamentation and...

    In this modern day, is there a shared visual language?

    The visual language of raden, which began as ornamentation and opulent treasures part of the Shosoin Repository in the 8th century, historically projected images of kachōfugetsu, “the beauties of nature.”

  • Ikeda sensei's raden inlaid lacquer box is the convergence of traditional technique and contemporary sensibility. Cut mother-of-pearl in the likeness...
    Ikeda sensei's raden inlaid lacquer box is the convergence of traditional technique and contemporary sensibility. Cut mother-of-pearl in the likeness of numerical patterns adorns the exterior of the pitch-black urushi lacquer, glimmering like a digital screen. Though raden (螺鈿) is a traditional technique, Terumasa Ikeda manages to present a contemporary innovation inspired by the LED displays of the modern age. ⁠
  • Looking back at one of the great wonders of the ancient world, Terumasa Ikeda's hypermodern raden technique bridges past and...
    Looking back at one of the great wonders of the ancient world, Terumasa Ikeda's hypermodern raden technique bridges past and future. 
  • Inlaid mother-of-pearl replaces stone walls, reimagining the Roman architecture in the context of lacquer.
    Inlaid mother-of-pearl replaces stone walls, reimagining the Roman architecture in the context of lacquer.
    • Terumasa Ikeda, "Iris" Incense Container, 2023
      Terumasa Ikeda, "Iris" Incense Container, 2023
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Decimal" Incense Container - 百千寸五香合, 2023 Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Decimal" Incense Container - 百千寸五香合, 2023
      Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Rutilus" Hexagonal Tea Caddy - 六角水晶窟棗, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Rutilus" Hexagonal Tea Caddy - 六角水晶窟棗, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Labyrinth" Incense Container - 青貝迷宮回路図香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl, Mother-of-Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Black Lip Oyster, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Labyrinth" Incense Container - 青貝迷宮回路図香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl, Mother-of-Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Black Lip Oyster, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Colosseo" Incense Container - 夜光円都ノ図香合, 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Black Lip Oyster, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Colosseo" Incense Container - 夜光円都ノ図香合, 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Black Lip Oyster, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Ice Floe" Incense Container - 百千流氷香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Ice Floe" Incense Container - 百千流氷香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Shore" Incense Container - 百千金砂渚香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Shore" Incense Container - 百千金砂渚香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda Error403, 2020 Lacquer
      Terumasa Ikeda
      Error403, 2020
      Lacquer
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Beginnings" Pyramidal Incense Container - 百千開闢金字塔香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Beginnings" Pyramidal Incense Container - 百千開闢金字塔香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Silver Lip Oyster, Gold
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Winter Wind" Tea Caddy - 百千木枯中棗, 2022 Urushi Lacquer, Wood, Abalone Shell
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Winter Wind" Tea Caddy - 百千木枯中棗, 2022
      Urushi Lacquer, Wood, Abalone Shell
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Noise 01" Fubuki Style Tea Caddy - 光絵素乱調雪吹其壱, 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Noise 01" Fubuki Style Tea Caddy - 光絵素乱調雪吹其壱, 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Turbo Snail Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Lightning Effect" Fubuki Style Tea Caddy - 夜光紫電雪吹, 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Lightning Effect" Fubuki Style Tea Caddy - 夜光紫電雪吹, 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Data Tunnel” Pentagonal Tea Caddy - 電光五角中次, 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Data Tunnel” Pentagonal Tea Caddy - 電光五角中次, 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda Error-Order- , 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      Error-Order- , 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda “Blue Beryl” Tea Caddy - 青螺石中次, 2023 Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
      Terumasa Ikeda
      “Blue Beryl” Tea Caddy - 青螺石中次, 2023
      Urushi Laquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl
    • Terumasa Ikeda "Accelerator" Incense Container - 八方百千加速香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail
      Terumasa Ikeda
      "Accelerator" Incense Container - 八方百千加速香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail
    • Terumasa Ikeda ”Throne" Incense Container - 百千玉璽香合, 2023 Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Gold
      Terumasa Ikeda
      ”Throne" Incense Container - 百千玉璽香合, 2023
      Urushi Lacquer, Cypress, Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo Snail Pearl, Gold
  • Ikeda, who earned his B.A. and M.A. from the Kanazawa College of Art, was drawn to the city as Kanazawa...

    Ikeda, who earned his B.A. and M.A. from the Kanazawa College of Art, was drawn to the city as Kanazawa is considered the historical hub for lacquerware in Japan. Under the tutelage of lacquer master Shinya Yamamura, Ikeda trained in the mother-of-pearl inlay technique’s traditional and highly technical aspects. As a student, Ikeda’s experiences in Nepal fostered a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and everyday handmade objects. The vibrant and complex wooden architecture and the culture of making that included every generation of the family from elder to child sparked inspiration inside Ikeda. The Nepalese encounter pushed Ikeda to question the parameters of craftsmanship as an age-old method of interpersonal communication.