Comments on the Jurors’ Special Prizes

Ohnishi : Thank you for your comments. I would like each juror to make comments on your special prize winners.

Yamamura : I selected the jewelry board from Takayama.
This is a very big furniture type of jewelry box for those who have a tremendous number of jewelry pieces. When you make some products, you tend to think of satisfying the users as all kinds of users, but this box is different. This Shunkeinuri jewelry box even has many layers of hidden drawers. I also like the high level of accomplishment.

Mae : I selected the work by Mr. Ohashi from Wajima. His profession is Roiro-ya, polishing and completing lacquer ware. This work is 20 centimeters long, 10 centimeters wide and 2 centimeters high. A glass piece is between the Urushi coated plates. When the light comes through the glass part, the work looks truly beautiful. One plate is coated with black Roiro and beautifully completed. The other plate is coated with Kanshitsu-ko, which means Urushi powders are sprinkled and the surface is evenly polished. The color varies from black to vermilion. The title is “The Image of Wind” It is an extremely excellent work.

Ekuan : I selected the incense burner. The reason why I selected is that I have not learned the world of incense yet. The base is silver and Makie is performed on it, a very luxurious item. I hope that the world of incense will make my personality better.
It is said that the contemporary people have weaker scent than those in the past. I hope that the art of incense established in the 10th century will revive today and that it will make our relations more friendly.
It is about 10 centimeters high but it is quite heavy. I imagine that I own this incense burner, which makes me happy. It can be an example of product development if one product makes its owner feel satisfied.

Komatsu : I selected the smallest item among all the works, a set of brooches. The surface is uneven glass. Inside of the glass is Makie and gold leaf with a variety of techniques. This work proposes very interesting and artistic uses of Urushi ware although the price might be a little too high.

Kwon : I selected the item, part of the pop dance costume, crown shaped hair decoration. Its artist performs pop dance. I think this a very interesting work which makes us interpret in many ways.

Koppin : I like this item because of the clear and very elegant form, the beautiful contrast of red and black lacquer and the way how the artist is thus concentrating on the proper quality of lacquer. Thank you.

Ohnishi : I selected the doorknob to hold when you open and close the door. It has very beautiful Makie which will be more interesting when it is worn out. Hoping that human hands and Urushi will create a new dimension, I recommend this item.
Dr. Kopplin’s view point is broader and more objective than those who have been too much involved in Urushi like us in Japan. Her comments are truly refreshing. She has pointed out something spiritual which we have taken for granted and overlooked for a long time. It is invigorating.