Questions and Answers Session

Audience 3 : My name is Mr. Goto and I am from Ishikawa Prefectural Institute for Yamanaka Lacquer Ware. I have attended a series of international Urushi exhibitions that have also discussed the survival of the lacquer ware business. The Urushi industry has suffered recently due to a decrease in demand. I can see from today’s discussion that many people including the panelists have produced exceptional Urushi ware. As a person who works in the lacquer ware industry in Yamanaka, this exhibition has given me the opportunity to see different types of lacquer ware applicable to all users.
Although my opinion differs from that of the panelists, I hope there will be other opportunities where artists and the public can learn all the positive aspects lacquer ware has to offer.

Ohnishi : I agree. Most of today’s audience belongs to various lacquer ware industries. It is important for artists to create their works based on an understanding of the consumer’s feelings and needs. This is a very important discussion. Some artists tend to be stubborn. Their stubbornness often prevents them from producing relevant and functional works for the consumer. It is important for artists and consumers to communicate with one another. I propose open seminars where artists, creators, and consumers can exchange their opinions freely.

Audience 3 : Can commercial works be submitted into this exhibition?

Ohnishi : ommercial works are acceptable. Shall we ask other jury members? Mr. Yamamura, what do you think?

Yamamura : This is a good question. This year’s exhibition received many commercial products. For example, the Urushi IH Pot, demonstrates heat-proof Urushi withstanding up to 280 degrees Celsius. The Gold Prize Winner which is a decorative comb for a woman’s hair is also a commercial product. Many jewelry pieces were also submitted. Because I am an industrial designer, I was happy to see the exhibition receive more commercial products.
As Mr. Sakaguchi had previously commented if one were to only look at the award winners, they may think this exhibition does not accept commercial works. This is not true. I expect more commercial works to be submitted in the future. It seems this year we encountered a variety of materials that were not used in past exhibitions. I hope more innovative commercial products will continue to be produced in Ishikawa Prefecture because I believe it to be the mecca of Urushi ware.
I now have a better understanding of how difficult it is to work in the field of Urushi. I fear that there are many economic factors, such as deflation, that will affect the future of the Urushi industry. One problem the Urushi industry faces is the mass production of cheap products. I urge those in the industry to shift this direction and put your influence into the design of the product in order to change this current outcome. People in the distribution business have made such requests, and I hope you will consider them. For example, the work titled, STAR PATTERN VASE can possess different functions apart from being a vase. I challenge those in the audience to become influential figures in developing new lacquer ware products.

Closing

Boda : We would like to bring this Round Table Discussion to a close. I would like to thank all the panelists for their lively discussions and stimulating opinions.
I would also like to mention that the Ishikawa International Urushi Exhibition 2012 will be held at the Event Hall of Meitetsu M’za (on the 8th floor) from January 28th through February 2nd 2012. The award winners as well as the 75 selected works will be displayed. In addition, new products and works from 10 lacquer ware producing regions of Japan will be introduced.
This visiting exhibition will be held at the Ishikawa Wajima Urushi Art Museum from February 25th through March 20th 2012. I hope many of you will visit these exhibitions.
We would like to close the Special Symposium for the Ishikawa International Urushi Exhibition 2012. Please give all the panelists another round of applause. Thank you very much.