Ohnishi ───── Next I would like Prof Komatsu to make comment on “Volume”, the Honorable Mention winner of the Art Category and “Genuine”.

Komatsu ───── Based on the harmony between tradition and innovation, this International Exhibition has celebrated its 10th anniversary. From this perspective of the harmony between tradition and innovation, this tenth exhibition seems a little less powerful than before. On the other hand, however, extremely novel works have pursued the possibility of Urushi by utilizing sound, for example. In the past during the feudal era, at the arts and crafts center in the Kanazawa Castle site, various collaborations including Metal works and urushi ware were conducted and a lot of arms such as helmets were made. So far this type of manufacturing has been handed down. Next spring, however, the Shinkanasen will start running between Kanazawa and Tokyo. I am afraid that we might be left behind by the times unless we adopt different perspective from conventional view points. This International Urushi Exhibition, together with the International Glass Exhibition, are unique in the world because these exhibitions call for applications from the artists throughout the world and they have tackled various challenges from different perspectives. Regarding glassware crafts, initially we did not have this tradition in Ishikawa Prefecture. However, we started nurturing glass artists and gradually glass art has been spread in Ishikawa and excellent glass works have been made so far. Regarding Urushi, we have had major flows of Urushi ware such as Wajima-nuri, Kaga-makie and Yamanaka-nuri. Despite the situation, I am afraid, Urushi has been the most difficult material to handle although Urushi ware has been highly evaluated in Kanazawa.
This International Urushi Exhibition is paramount to the future success of this art form. It is my continual aim that it be continued for many years to come.
The Honorable Mention winner in the Art Category is “Volume”. It clearly expresses the artist’s appeal to the eyes by integrating its feminine form and its vermilion color. This work gently expresses warmth. It is able to effortlessly achieve universal appeal while maintaining inherent simplicity in design.
Another Honorable Mention winner “Genuine” is finished with Roiro-shiage (high-gloss finish) in black Urushi. Unlike “Volume”, this work is masculine. I feel this work is the antithesis of “Volume”. The design is created to the very limit of her aesthetic achievements. Both works are conspicuous and they both have the potential to play leading roles in the world.

Ohnishi ───── I would like Mr Yamamura to make comment on the Honorable Mention winners in the “Design Category” ; “TURARI” and “Button Down Pierce”.

Yamamura─────“TURARI” is a set of cups finished using the Sensuji wood-turning technique, making fine lines by using a turning lathe and chisels. This technique has been handed down from generation to generation in Yamanaka. The surfaces of the cups are both concave and convex. The surfaces have precise Sensuji, fine lines, which are good for design and function. When these cups are stacked, they look slender (SURARI in Japanese). That is why she titled her work “TURARI”.
Each cup is simple and easy to use as cups or tableware due to their gentle shapes. The work is made of two colors; one is plain wood and the other coated with black Urushi. Both are wonderful.
Another Honorable Mention winner is “Button Down Pierce”. Recently more and more men are turning toward eco-friendly fashion and choose to wear button-down shirts without a tie. By abandoning the tie, this artist draws attention to the series of small buttons on the front of the shirt. The button material is a pearl-oyster’s shell and each one has precise Makie designs overlaid on it such as ladybirds and soccer balls. They make the neck more striking. Diminutive sized Urushi jewelries are unexpectedly few and this work stands out so uniquely among the jewelry works. The metal work at the bottom and fittings are well constructed.
They look easy to use. The work is small but powerful. I hope they will be utilized more often.