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KAWAGITA, Ryozo
Woodwork,
holder of important intangible cultural property (1994)
Biography
Born on September 1, 1934.
Born in Yamanaka-machi, Ishikawa. He became apprenticed to Kawagita Koichi, his father, and to
Himi Kodo, a woodwork craftsman, to study the wheeling techniques of woodwork. First award at
the 9th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1962. Japan Crafts Society President Awards at
the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1966 and 1968. Inspecting member since then. Tokyo
Governor Award (best award) at the Japan Flower and Tea Utencils Arts and Crafts Exhibiton in
1987. Making of Ise-Jingu Sengu Rokyo, 1990. Lives in Yamanaka-machi.
Distinctive innovation in the traditional techniques.
Kawagita Ryozo is specialized in works with beautiful wood grain by making full use of the charm
of wheeling with his solid techniques. Raw materials are mainly keyaki (zelkova serrata),
as well as mulberry, maple, black persimmon, and horse chestnut wood. In a decorative aspect,
he freely adopted several suji-hiki, characteristics of Yamanaka lacquerware, and added
elegance with chijire inlay, tortoise shells, and coral. He brought in a fresh wind in
Yamanaka lacquerware with rich expression.
Recently, he worked on the restoration of treasures at Shosoin, by making use of richi experiences
and high techniques. In addition, he made tea ceremony utensils out of old trees Sen-no Rikyu
himsellf had planted at Daitokuji Jukoin, and out of old wood at Kyoto Myoshinji Kohojo
(priest residence).
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*Culture (traditional)/
*Culture (modern)/
*History and Environment(the Edo period)/
*History and Environment(the Modern Ages)/
*Master Craftsmen(deceased)/
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