Explore the exquisite creations of esteemed urushi artist Murose Kazumi in a special talk held in collaboration with the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) and Royal Collection Trust.

Murose Kazumi was recognised as a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Property (popularly known as a ‘Living National Treasure’) by the Japanese government in 2008 for his accomplishments in the field of urushi, a Japanese technique with a 9,000-year-old heritage involving the decorative application of natural lacquer derived from tree sap.

Murose is particularly renowned for his mastery of maki-e (lit. ‘sprinkled pictures’), a characteristic technique of Japanese urushi culture, in which powdered gold, silver or other precious materials are scattered onto or between layers of lacquer.

During the presentation, Murose introduces a number of his striking works and the sophisticated techniques used to create them, from decorative boxes and vessels which can be found in the collections of leading cultural institutions throughout the world. to a bowl commissioned by a Japanese adventurer to accompany him on his ascent of Mount Everest, highlighting urushi’s hard-wearing properties in addition to its beauty.

This talk is part of a series of events featuring Murose Kazumi held in collaboration with the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) and Royal Collection Trust. A separate event takes place on Wednesday 15 February taking a closer look at Murose’s important restoration work of urushi cultural assets.

About the speaker

Murose Kazumi

Murose Kazumi was designated a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Property (‘Living National Treasure’) in the field of urushi for the maki-e (sprinkled picture) technique by the Japanese Government in 2008. He spends considerable time restoring ancient urushi works and helping to survey urushi collections from all periods. He cares passionately about fostering the next generation of urushi artists as well as promoting Japanese craft (kōgei) and its preservation. In the UK his work is represented in the British Museum and the V&A.

Booking Details
Booking Essential | Admission free