Urushi Exhibition 2019

The most meaningful moment in my daily life is when my entire family gathers around the dining table to share a meal. These meals would not be the same without traditional Japanese utensils coated in urushi lacquer. We use urushi-coated bowls for rice and miso soup. I feel a sense of quiet luxury each time my fingers touch the smooth surface of the lacquer, or when my lips meet the rim of a bowl as I drink.

For many years, I believed that urushi was a gift from nature—a blessing that enriches our daily lives. But my appreciation for urushi deepened even further when I introduced urushi utensils to members of the Warli tribe, with whom we have been collaborating on an art project.
They said, “It’s light, durable, and beautiful. And if we ever discard it, it will return to the earth. This is marvelous.”
Their words awakened me to urushi’s universal value. In that moment, my perspective shifted—from seeing urushi as a personal treasure to recognizing it as something with global cultural significance. I came to believe that urushi should not remain privately cherished but publicly shared—as a traditional Japanese craft that brings beauty and joy into everyday life.

If we embrace the idea of “yo no bi”—the beauty of practical use—our daily lives can become more meaningful. In contemporary terms, this philosophy is deeply aligned with the concept of sustainability.

For this reason, I have chosen to exhibit living works, not relics of the past. I invite you to hold in your hands the creations of artisans Yukiko Yagi and Meguri Ichida. Both began working with urushi at a young age, and continue to explore new creative possibilities while honoring time-honored techniques. Their work is infused with passion and care.

I hope this exhibition allows you to rediscover the happiness found in ordinary moments—moments just as precious as the joy of festivals, dining out, or travel.

Akiko Ookuni
Chief Director, Wall Art Project
Curator of URUSHI

Venue　ARTISANS (52 - 56 V B Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai)
Date　6th - 9th September 2019