Fumihiko Arakawa

Rectangular food vessel. “Hope”

  • Lacquerware
  • Presented in 2014
  • H 4.5 x W 76.4 x D 14.8 cm
  • $6,835

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Category Lacquerware
Year Presented 2014
Dimensions H 4.5 x W 76.4 x D 14.8 cm
Exhibition The 61th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

  • Dry lacquer

    For works of dry lacquer (kanshitsu), first a clay form is created and plaster is used to take a mold of the form. Next, repeated layers of hemp cloth and lacquer are applied to the mold until they are built up to the desired thickness. Finally, the mold is removed and additional coats of lacquer are applied to finish the piece. The hemp fibers are strengthened when the lacquer bonds with them, making dry lacquer an excellent technique for creating sturdy forms with a significant degree of freedom.

Fumihiko Arakawa

photo Fumihiko Arakawa

I makes the best use of the lacquer’s natural luster, and finishes with nuritate (the practice of applying a finishing coat of lacquer and allowing it to harden without polishing). I then applies decoration using gold and silver wires.