板室温泉 大黒屋

Akihiko Sugita Exhibition – Urushi

4 April (Fri) – 6 May (Tue), 2025

Venue: Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya

Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya is pleased to present a solo exhibition of urushi (Japanese lacquerware) by Akihiko Sugita, running from Friday 4 April to Tuesday 6 May 2025.
Born in Tokyo in 1978, Akihiko Sugita began his working life apprenticed to a hand-made soba noodle restaurant. It was during this time that he encountered the book Cha no Hako (“The Box of Tea”), which sparked a profound interest in urushi. In 2007, he began studying under Akito Akagi—one of the book’s authors and a master lacquer artist—spending four years as an apprentice and a further two years in service before becoming independent. In 2014, he established his studio in Kanazawa, where he continues to work today.
The history of lacquer in Japan dates back over 10,000 years, with examples found in Jomon period archaeological sites. Valued for its waterproof and durable properties, urushi has long been used in everyday life—from tableware and furnishings to architectural ornamentation. Lacquered objects, particularly in the context of tea culture, have played a significant role in shaping Japanese aesthetics. Yet, as daily life has become increasingly modernised, the use of lacquerware has gradually declined. Sugita re-examines the value of urushi in this contemporary context, seeking to integrate its beauty into the rhythms of modern living.
His works are characterised by elegant forms and a distinctive matte finish, achieved through traditional techniques imbued with a contemporary sensibility. Central to his approach is the idea of beauty as inherent in the tool: pieces designed to be held, used, and appreciated in everyday life. Sugita explores a unique shade of shu-iro—a deep, quiet red that exists somewhere between vermilion and black—bringing a subtle modernity to this classical colour. By carefully building up and polishing successive layers of lacquer, he creates surfaces that are both tactile and rich in tonal depth.
Influenced by the work of his mentor, Akito Akagi, Sugita’s matte lacquerware is suited to today’s brightly lit interiors. Traditionally, lacquerware was viewed by candlelight or lantern glow, environments that allowed its soft lustre to shine. Sugita honours this heritage while pursuing a finish that resonates with the clarity and brightness of contemporary spaces. His work expresses a quiet elegance, bridging past and present in pursuit of new expressions of urushi.
Beyond traditional bowls and soup vessels, Sugita also experiments with forms such as rimmed plates more commonly associated with Western dining. His commitment to form and functionality results in pieces that are both sculptural and practical. A deep interest in antiques and historical objects also informs his work, lending it a particular richness and depth.
In recent years, Sugita has extended his practice beyond tableware, creating flat works that highlight the material qualities of lacquer, as well as sculptural pieces made using kanshitsu—a traditional dry lacquer technique involving layers of urushi applied over fabric. He is also exploring the use of urushi as a material in interior design. These explorations open new possibilities for lacquer as both a functional and expressive medium, continuing a tradition while moving beyond its boundaries.
This exhibition will feature a wide selection of works, including everyday vessels such as bowls, plates, rimmed dishes, cups, trays, and serving boards, as well as flat works and kanshitsu objects. We invite you to experience the rich and evolving world of Akihiko Sugita’s urushi.