Brand guide: Urushi × Wood Art by Kiyotaka Tanaka
Kiyotaka Tanaka's work blends two traditional woodworking techniques: sashimono (joinery, additive) and kurimono (carving, subtractive). These methods require distinct skills and yield different expressions of wood grain. He finishes each piece with Urushi, adding layers of color, fabric reinforcement, dry lacquer powder, and diatomaceous earth. Techniques such as raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) and maki-e (sprinkled gold/silver) further enhance the artwork.
Tanaka emphasizes balance—honoring both wood grain and design. His philosophy centers on simplicity, universality, and originality, with Urushi art as a unique signature.
Having initially studied urushi techniques—a rare skill among woodworkers—this has become a distinctive feature and strength of his work. Building upon this foundation, he also values adding a touch of playfulness to his creations. He also thinks each piece is meant to be timeless, regionless, and approachable for anyone in the world.
Urushi x Wood Art includes a furniture series such as chairs, a frame series, and an accessory series (*). *Currently, Japanmania website does not carry the accessory series.
Greeting from Kiyotaka Tanaka
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.
Artist Biography(Summary)
1972 Born in Kyoto, into a family deeply rooted in traditional Japanese craftsmanship—his grandfather supplied kimono fabrics and art objects to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and his father was a wood artist.
Tanaka Kiyotaka Major Solo Exhibitions
From 2000 to 2020, Kiyotaka Tanaka held numerous solo exhibitions at leading department store art galleries across Japan, including Daimaru (Kyoto, Shinsaibashi, Kobe), Seibu (Takatsuki, Fukui, Otsu, etc.), Sogo (Tokushima, Hiroshima, Kashiwa, among others), Matsuzakaya, Takashimaya, Hanshin, and others
Production Process of a Wiped-Urushi Wooden Plate
Each piece involves many intricate steps. By carefully attending to each stage—while engaging in a kind of dialogue with the wood—the result is a work that is not only beautiful and durable but also practical for everyday use. The following is one such example of the process for a wiped-urushi wooden plate.