Kenji Nakai

  • Textiles
  • 1950 -
Kenji Nakai

Mainly using the Itome Hon Yuzen technique (a glue resist dyeing technique used to dye patterns) to express the changes of the four seasons and the scenes of nature that change by the minute like the wind and the light delicately and sometimes dynamically.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Traditional Craftsman designated by the Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association Foundation
Designated as Master Craftsman of Kyoto
  • 1950 Born in Kyoto
  • 1965 Studies dyeing under his father, Kyoto Yuzen Master Takejiro Nakai
  • 1966 Studies under Japanese-style painting under Japanese-style painter Beian Satomi
  • 1982 Qualified to submit to the Traditional Craft Technique Competition without submitting to the selecting committee
  • 1986 Becomes Director of Kyoto Shinsai Kogei Cooperative Association (– 2003)
  • 1994 Designated as Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Crafts specified by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry
  • 1996 Yuzen semi-formal kimono "Seiin" purchased by Kyoto City
  • 1999 Supervisor of Kyo-yuzen Kyodoukumiai Rengoukai and Traditional Craftsmen Association (– 2001)
  • 2006 Supervisor of Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Association (– 2013)
  • 2008 Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
  • 2013 Qualified to submit to the Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition without submitting to the selecting committee
  • 2015 Designated as Yuzen Dyeing Master Craftsman of Kyoto

  • 1977Received the Excellence Award at the 4th Kyoto Traditional Craft Technique Competition
  • 1978Received the Excellence Award at the 5th Kyoto Traditional Craft Technique Competition
  • 1980Received the Excellence Award at the 7th Kyoto Traditional Craft Technique Competition
  • 1981Received an Honorable Mention at the 8th Kyoto Traditional Craft Technique Competition
    Received an Honorable Mention at the 9th Kyoto Traditional Craft Technique Competition
  • 2004Received the Governor Award at the 27th Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2006Received the MEXT Award at the 29th Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2008Received the Governor Award at the 31st Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2009Received the Governor Award at the 32nd Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2010Received the Kansai Bureau of Economy,Trade and Industry Director-General Award at the 15th Kyoto Tegaki Yuzen Art Exhibition
    Received the MEXT Award at the 33rd Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2011Received the Governor Award at the 34th Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
  • 2012Received the Kansai Bureau of Economy,Trade and Industry Director-General Award at the 17th Kyoto Tegaki Yuzen Art Exhibition
    Received the MEXT Award at the 35th Japan Dyeing and Weaving Designers’ Exhibition
    Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the 59th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2016Received the Kansai Bureau of Economy,Trade and Industry Director-General Award at the 21st Kyoto Tegaki Yuzen Art Exhibition
  • 2021Received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the 26th Kyoto Tegaki Yuzen Art Exhibition
9 artworks posted