“The lacquer master WAKAMIYA TAKASHI embodies an extremely successful combination of the highest technical skills, endless patience, a willingness to experiment, and a brilliantly playful imagination, all of which allow him to create highly unusual and decorative designs.”

HEINZ & ELSE KRESS(Lacquer Researcher)

“Wakamiya evinces particular skill in his imitation of various materials and objects, which he mimics through the use of means that are unique to the art of lacquer. With these virtuosic pieces, Wakamiya expands upon the artistry of colleagues such as Ogawa Hariitsu or Shibata Zeshin, and continues this grand tradition into the present day.”

Museum of Lacquer Art Munster Director
Dr.Monika Kopplin

While Wakamiya breathes new life into traditional subjects with his modern sensibility, he freely transcends the boundaries of art genres and time periods by introducing his own themes into the art of lacquer, from the aesthetics expressed in the modern literary works of Izumi Kyōka, who he admires fondly, to manga and anime characters representing today’s Japanese popular culture. Always breaking new ground, Hikoju Makie’s incomparable craftsmanship and unconventional ideas are manifesting an exciting future for lacquerware.

Masami Yamada
Curator, Asian Department
Victoria and Albert Museum