Living National Treasure Yoshito Yamashita
- Lacquerware
- 1951 -
The characteristics of the kinma (incised and colour-filled decoration) technique are the painstaking repetition of wide-ranging engraving and color filling. This process with its dozens of layers of pale to deep colored lacquer enables the intricate expression of color lacquer gradation. Sometimes the maki-e technique is jointly used to add extra beauty. With the free use of these techniques, YAMASHITA produces his works with distinctive designs inspired by the realm of nature. His style, earning the highest praise, is artistically outstanding and expresses the subtle vitality and poetic sentiment of nature.
| Membership | Full member, Japan Kogei Association Head lecturer at the Urushi Lacquer Ware Institute Head lecturer at the Ishikawa Prefectural Institute of Wajima Lacquer Arts Councilor at the Japan Kogei Association Person of Cultural Merit in Kagawa Prefecture Committee Member of the Kagawa Prefecture Culture and Arts Promotion Council |
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| Status | Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property for Kinma ) |
- 1951 Born in Shinzai-Kawakubo-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
- 1970 Studied under the Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder in “Kinma” (Living National Treasure) ISOI Masami
- 1976 Studied under the Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder in “Kinma” (Living National Treasure) TAGUCHI Yoshikuni
- 1980 Full member, Japan Kogei Association
- 1990 Participated in the Pola Art Foundation’s “Seeking the Roots of Kinma” film-crew travelling around Myanmar and Thailand
- 1991 Judge at the 8th Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works. Held the post to date
- 1993 Jury member at the 58th Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition. Held the post to date
- 1996 Judge at the 43rd Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. Held the post to date
Submitted to the “Rainbows and Shimmering Bridges – Contemporary Japanese Lacquerware” Exhibition (Denver, New York) - 2000 Supervised the restoration works of the ceilings decorated with Maki-e lacquer at the Konpiragu Shrine (Completed in 2004)
Crafts study tour to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Western China - 2001 Designated as an Intangible Cultural Property Holder by Kagawa Prefecture
- 2003 Offered a Maki-e painting to Kotohiragu Shrine
- 2007 Invited to submit to the Shikinen Sengu Memorial Museum Special Exhibition titled “Moon – In Line with the Utakai Hajime Theme”
Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
His studio was visited by His Royal Highness Prince Katsura. Offered a work as a gift - 2008 Received the Kagawa Cultural Award
- 2011 Commended by Kagawa Prefecture for Distinguished Service in Education and Culture
- 2013 His work was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property
- 2014 Dedicated the Octagonal Box with Design in Kinma "Bright Moon" to Ise Jingu
- 2018 Artwork presented to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince from Kagawa Prefecture
- 2019 Artwork presented to His Majesty the Emperor from Kagawa Prefecture
- 2021 Techincal Arts Documentary Film by the Agency for Cultural Affairs "About the Kinma Box 'Reimei'" completed
- 1980Received the Governor’s Award at the 45th Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
- 1986Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 3rd Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works
- 1987Received the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award at the 4th Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works
- 1989Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 36th Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
(The exhibited work was purchased by the Kagawa Cultural Hall) - 1994Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 41st Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
(The exhibited work was purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs) - 1995Received the 35th Shikoku Shimbun Cultural Award
- 2005Priority submission at the 52nd Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and awarded the Japan Kogei Association "Important Intangible Cultural Property" Holder's Prize
- 2011Received the Japan Kogei Association "Important Intangible Cultural Property" Holder's Prize at the 58th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
- 2012Received the Excellence Award at the 32nd POLA Traditional Culture Awards
- 2019Received the Yonden Arts and Culture Award
12 artworks posted