Shozo Kitaoka

  • Lacquerware
  • 1949 -
Shozo Kitaoka

Mainly using the choshitsu (carved lacquer) technique, but also making pieces using other lacquerware techniques.
As an original method, I use the tatakinuri (stippling) technique when applying layers of lacquer to make a soft gradation of colors that cannot be made with the conventional choshitsu technique.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Adviser of the Japan Kōgei Association Shikoku Branch
Councilor of the Japan Cultural Property Lacquer Association
Craft Instructor at the Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute
Honorary Chairman of the Kagawa Prefecture Artists Association
Director of Sanuki Museum of Urushi Art
  • 1949 Born in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
  • 1968 Graduated from Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Kougei High School, Lacquer Art Course
    Studied under lacquerware artist Tetsuo Imayuki
  • 1969 Studied under Living National Treasure Kodo Otomaru
  • 1972 Selected for the 19th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time (selected 45 times)
  • 1975 Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
  • 1985 Specially invited to submit to and Evaluator for the Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1991 Specially invited to submit to and Judge for the Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition
  • 1996 Specially invited to submit to and Evaluator for the 13th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Invited to submit to the "RAINBOWS AND SHIMMERING BRIDGES: Contemporary Japanese Lacquerware" Exhibition (New York / Denver)
  • 1999 50 maîtres :les arts appliqués dans le Japon contemporain (Paris Mitsukoshi Etoile, Tokyo, etc.)
  • 2000 Invited to submit to the Japanese Contemporary Urushi Art Exhibition, Netherlands
  • 2001 Designated as Holder of Intangible Cultural Property of Kagawa Prefecture
  • 2019 Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays

  • 1981Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the Shikoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (9 times in total)
  • 1988Received the Kagawa Governor Award at the Kagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition (10 times in total)
  • 1991Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the 8th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1992Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 9th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1995Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 12th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Received the Japan Kogei Association Incentive Award at the 43rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1996Received the Takamatsu City Cultural Encouragement Award
  • 2006Received the Kagawa Prefecture Person of Education Cultural Merits
  • 2010Received the Kagawa Prefecture Person of Cultural Merits
  • 2016Received the Cultural Region Person of Cultural Merits from the Minister of MEXT
  • 2019Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 36th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Price Range

$ 3,000 - 40,000

The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.

11 artworks posted