The Ishikawa International Urushi Exhibition, specializing in Urushi lacquer ware, was established in 1989 and will celebrate its 10th event in 2014. In each of the past events the exhibition attracted many excellent works from over ten nations and regions and has built a reputation as the world’s showcase of new Urushi arts and crafts.
For this exhibition, we invited entries from not only Japan but from around the world, to explore a new vision of the future of Urushi. From daily utensils to artistic expressions, we strive to discover a wide variety of functions for a new lifestyle with Urushi ware.

The Executive Committee of The Ishikawa International Urushi Exhibition
(includes representatives from: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Wajima City, Kaga City, The Kanazawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wajima Urushi Ware Cooperative Society, Yamanaka Lacquerware Cooperative Society, Kanazawa Urushi Ware Cooperative Society, and Design Center Ishikawa)

(In Japan)
The Ministry of Economy ／ Trade and Industry ／ The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry ／ Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) ／ Japan Institute of Design Promotion ／ Japan Design Foundation ／ International Design Center Nagoya Inc. ／ Japan Traditional Craft Center ／ Japan Paint Manufacturers Association ／ Japan Urushi Arts and Crafts Association ／ Japan Lacquerware Cooperative Societies Association ／ Japan Industrial Designers Association ／ Japan Interior Designers Association ／ Japan Craft Design Association ／ Japan Graphic Designers Association ／ Japan Jewelry Designers Association ／ World Urushi Culture Council ／ Nippon Urushi Network ／

(In Ishikawa)
Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center ／ The Wajima Chamber of Commerce and Industry ／ The Kaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry ／ The Yamanaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry ／ Ishikawa Machinery and Electronics Association ／ Ishikawa Textile Association ／ Ishikawa Interior Industry Association ／ Ishikawa Craft Design Association ／ Ishikawa Visual Design Association ／ Ishikawa Construction Design Management Association ／ Ishikawa Product Design Association ／ Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) Kanazawa ／ The Hokkoku Shimbun

ASAHI SOSETSU CO., LTD. ／ SHIBAFUNE KOIDE CO., LTD ／ Takakuwa Art Printing Inc ／ Tamada Industries Inc. ／ NAKASHIMA CO., LTD. ／ NAKADA Inc ／ NIPPON EXPRESS CO., LTD. ／ VAL DESIGN GROUP CO., LTD.

Period : from the beginning of November 2013 until April 18 (Fri), 2014
Requirements for Application : works must be lacquered with Urushi
Number of applications received : 207 from 15 nations and regions
（126 of which are from Japan）

Choose either Design or Art Category.
Design Category: Where the work is a commercial product that can be produced and distributed systematically
Art Category: Where expression is the primary objective of the work

Date: May 23 (Fri), 2014
Assessment Panel:

Nagatoshi Ohnishi (Japan)

Urushi Artist, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo
National University of Fine Arts and Music

Ryoichi Komatsu (Japan)

Professor Emeritus at the Kanazawa College of Art

Teruko Mitarai (Japan)

President of T-pot Co., Ltd

Shinichi Yamamura (Japan)

Design Consultant, President of Cobo Design Co., Ltd.

Number of works selected:
72 works from 11 nations and regions (52 of which are from Japan)

71 works from 11 nations and regions (52 of which are from Japan) were assessed.

Date: August 7 (Thu), 2014
Assessment Panel:

Kenji Ekuan (Japan)

Industrial Designer

Nagatoshi Ohnishi (Japan)

Urushi Artist, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo
National University of Fine Arts and Music

Ryoichi Komatsu (Japan)

Professor Emeritus at the Kanazawa College of Art

Kwon Sang-Oh (Korea)

Urushi Artist, Professor Dept. of Crafts College of Arts Silla University
Director of Lacquer Craft Research Center Silla University

Fumio Mae (Japan)

Urushi Artist, Living Important Intangible Cultural Asset (in the Chinkin carving technique)

Shinichi Yamamura (Japan)

Design Consultant, President of Cobo Design Co., Ltd.

 

Prize Money

Grand Prize

   ¥1,000,000 (awarded to 1 work)

The 10th Exhibition Special Memorial Prize

      ¥300,000 (awarded to 1 work)

Gold Prize

      ¥200,000 (awarded to 2 works *1)

Silver Prizes

      ¥100,000 (awarded to 2 works *1)

Honorable Mentions

        ¥50,000 (awarded to 4 works *2)

Jurors’ Special Prizes

        ¥30,000 (awarded to 6 works)

*1 From each category, 1 Prize was selected.
*2 From each category, 2 Prizes were selected.

Comments on the Final Assessment and prize winners
Date: August 8 (Fri), 2014
Venue: The 7th training room (1F) Main Building, Ishikawa Industrial Center