Greeting from Kiyotaka Tanaka

- Crafting Each Piece with Heartfelt Care -

Hello everyone, I'm Kiyotaka Tanaka, a Urushi and woodcraft
artist. Thank you for visiting Japanmania site and coming to see
my work “Urushi x Wood Art”.
Woodworking is a profound craft that encompasses two main
techniques: "sashimono," which involves assembling multiple
components, and "kurimono," which entails carving from a solid
block of wood.
Sashimono can be likened to addition, while kurimono
resembles subtraction; each requires distinct skills, sensibilities,
and experiences. Particularly in kurimono, the choice of carving
from the front or back of the wood reveals entirely different grain
patterns, altering the appearance and feel of the piece even if
the shape remains the same.

My creations incorporate both sashimono and kurimono
techniques, finished with a Urusi (Japanese lacquer) coating.
This urushi not only enhances the beauty of the piece but also
makes it water-resistant, preventing stains and ensuring
hygiene.
Typically, wooden works are finished with a wiping urushi
(sometimes oil instead), highlighting the wood's grain and color.
Building upon this standard process, I employ vibrant colored
urushi, reinforce the structure with fabric overlays, sprinkle dry
urushi powder, and apply ground powder (calcined
diatomaceous earth). Additionally, I incorporate techniques like
raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) and maki-e (gold or silver powder
decoration) to complete the pieces.

Achieving balance in this method is crucial and a point of
particular emphasis for me. Since the material is wood, I place
great importance on expressing the wood grain. However, the
grain can sometimes interfere with the design, and vice versa,
making wood a challenging medium.

The balance I strive for ensures that both the wood grain and
the design are equally beautiful and uncompromised. I also
believe that originality is essential.

To express everything beautifully, I focus on designs that are
"simple and universal." Simplicity preserves the warmth,
presence, and gentleness of the wood, while universality
ensures that the pieces are easy to use "in any era, any region,
and by anyone."

As an artist, I express my "originality" through the incorporation
of urushi art. Having initially studied urushi techniques—a rare
skill among woodworkers—this has become a distinctive feature
and strength of my work. Building upon this foundation, I also
value adding a touch of playfulness to my creations.
Arriving at this style, characterized by "simplicity," "universality,"
and "originality," was not something I achieved alone. Over
more than 25 years of holding solo exhibitions across the
country, I engaged in numerous conversations with customers,
which shaped my current style into a "singular form."

This "singular form" has become a cherished aspect of my work
and has significantly contributed to my growth. Moving forward,
I aim to continue connecting with customers and evolving this
"singular form," exploring how it transforms and takes new
shapes. I hope you will join me in this journey.
My goal is to create pieces that evoke feelings like "somehow
nice," "somehow endearing," and "I want to keep this close." I
aspire to collaborate with customers to craft experiences that
transcend the physical object and the techniques involved.