The exhibition "Artisans and Wajima Lacquerware" will be held at the Sogo Museum of Art from Thursday, January 22nd to Monday, February 23rd (national holiday).
This exhibition was planned with the aim of supporting the reconstruction of Wajima lacquerware, which is facing a crisis of survival after being devastated by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024. It is an attempt to connect lacquer techniques to the future and look ahead to the future of Wajima lacquerware.
"Kuruwa-style Basket Food Basket" by Komori Kunie
"Squirrel and Grape Design Maki-e Box" by Nakano Koichi
Wajima lacquerware, one of Japan's most representative lacquerware, has been made possible through a highly specialized system of work involving the "Wajima Rokushoku" (Wajima woodworkers, joiners, bentwood craftsmen, lacquer craftsmen, gold leaf craftsmen, and maki-e craftsmen).The accumulation of these meticulous processes gives Wajima lacquerware a durability and luster not found in other lacquerware arts.
The bowl base is made by turning the wood in several stages using a potter's wheel.
Bowl wood base creation process
The craftsman soaks the Noto cypress in water, uses a plane to carve it, and bends it to fit the shape.
This exhibition will not only focus on the appreciation of finished works, but will also focus on the process of making Wajima lacquerware. In addition to introducing the process leading up to the completion of the base (the base of Wajima lacquerware), which has been difficult to expose to light until now, there will also be an exhibition where you can actually touch the process and the tools necessary for production. It is structured so that you can experience how the robust and elegant Wajima lacquerware is nurtured.
"Lacquer inlaid box "Tamayura"" by Yamagishi Kazuo
Wajima lacquerware is completed through the hands of many artisans. We hope you will come to the venue to see the incredible techniques used.
◆Artisans and Wajima lacquerware
[Period] January 22, 2026 (Thursday) - February 23, 2026 (Monday/Holiday)
[Venue] Sogo Museum of Art (6th floor, Sogo Yokohama)
[Opening hours] 10:00-20:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
[Admission fee] Adults 1,400 yen (1,200 yen), university and high school students 1,200 yen (1,000 yen), junior high school students and younger free
*Prices in parentheses are for those who present advance tickets, official online tickets, or the Club On/Millennium Card or Club On/Millennium App.
*Advance tickets are1Mon21Tickets are available through the official online ticketing website and at the Sogo Museum of Art until Wednesday, the 1st.
*People with disability certificates and their companions1Names are free.
