Shoei Hitomi

Kanshitsu food vessel "Whirlpool"

  • Lacquerware
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Category Lacquerware
Exhibition The 20th Kinki Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
Awards Japan Kōgei Association Kinki Branch Incentive Award

  • 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.

Shoei Hitomi

photo Shoei Hitomi

I make boxes using the harinuki techinique; a technique setting approximately 25 sheets of Japanese traditional paper on a wooden mold, applying lacquer and forming into a box. I apply wrinkled paper on the box and make patterns, and I finish the box by applying jewel beetles and shells.