Infusion of modern and tradition in Japanese Urushi Lacquerware

With a history dating back to thousand of years, Urushi is a very traditional art. Yasuhiro Asai is blazing a trail through the Urushi world with his unique vision.
Yasuhiro Asai was born in Tottori Prefecture (west coast of Japan) in 1983. His first fascination for Urushi lacquer crafts started in high school. In 2004 he entered the University of Toyama Takaoka National College majoring Urushi lacquer techniques in the Urushi lacquer craft course. After graduating in 2005, he began his studies under Murose Kazumi who is a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan, in order to master the Urushi lacquer craft. In 2015 he was awarded with the Commissioner Award of the Agency for Cultural Affairs during the 32nd Traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer Exhibition.
Despite being only 35 years of age, Yasuhiro Asai has honed his skill of Urushi art to an advanced level. Without rejecting the works and traditional of many Urushi master craftsmen before him, Yasahiro has created a unique vision for his Urushi lacquerware. Instead following in the footstep of other Urushi masters in depicting mainly nature or folklore, Yasuhiro turns to the world around him for inspiration. This modern world of towering skyscrapers and boundless horizon serves as the background to his Urushi work. The focal point of his work - the crescent moon - requires not only a keen eye to capture the ""ki"" of the scene but the skills to reflect that transcendent beauty in to Urushi lacquerware.
Utilizing the Urushi to achieve the desired consistency required is only the beginning to Yasahiro's work. To properly capture the essence of the crescent moon, Yasuhiro also need to employ the use of Raden art, an advanced Urushi technique. Grafting thin slices of Raden to the base Urushi requires extreme focus and skill. Witnessing the complete work that Yasuhiro has poured his heart, one can understand the drive and motivation he must have. It is not a surprise that the relatively young age of 35, Yasuhiro Asai has been able to establish his own place among the world of Urushi art.
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of this video.
All copyrights go to the original owner, Yasuhiro Asai.