Akihiko Sugita × AMAHARE
"Juu"
AMAHARE is delighted to host our first exhibition featuring Kanazawa-based lacquer artist Akihiko Sugita.
The theme of the exhibition is "Juu."
"Juu" refers to a timely rain that brings moisture and life to all things.
Born from the vital energy of wood and created through the layering of lacquer,
Sugita's vessels possess a unique beauty that combines a fresh vibrancy with the quiet presence of an antique.
Just like the "Juu" rain that pours down as if to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of spring,
Sugita's works bring a comforting moisture to our daily lives.
Please look forward to this wonderful exhibition.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.
Dates /
AMAHARE
Friday, March 6 – Monday, March 16, 2026 *Closed on Wednesdays
Online Exhibition https://shop.amahare.jp/
Friday, March 20, 2026, 18:00 – Sunday, March 22
*The special page will be available to view from Friday, March 20 at 18:00.
Artist Appearance / Friday, March 6
Location / AMAHARE @amahare_shirokanedai
5-5-2 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-3280-0766 info@amahare.jp
Reservations/ No reservations are required for this exhibition. Please feel free to visit us at your convenience.
Photo / Yuka Yanazume @yuka_yanazume
Styling / Megu Okazaki (AMAHARE)
Text / Kenichi Kaneko (AMAHARE) @amahare_kaneko
Wan
When I first held Sugita-san's "Wan" (bowl), what I felt was a core strength—like that of a
time-honored antique—hidden beneath the fresh, glossy landscape of the lacquer.
I originally acquired it as a soup bowl, but after discovering how delicious white rice tastes when eaten from lacquerware,
it has become incredibly versatile in my daily life—serving as a rice bowl, a soup bowl, and sometimes as a mukozuke (side dish bowl).
In this exhibition, we welcome you with a diverse lineup, ranging from small, easy-to-use bowls for daily life to large
pieces that you will want to display as art objects.
Kei
A large bowl featuring a unique landscape that, at first glance, hardly looks like traditional lacquerware.
"I've discovered a new form of expression,"
Sugita-san shared joyfully about this particular white piece.
It seems to exude the new direction he is heading in his craftsmanship.
Ju
A jubako (tiered box) that is used daily in the Sugita household.
While jubako are typically synonymous with the New Year,
you can reduce the number of tiers to use it as a sweets container for tea ceremonies, or
treat each tier as an individual large bowl for gatherings.
It is a beautiful piece that tickles the imagination of the user.
Rin
A vessel with an avant-garde landscape that stands in stark contrast to chic black.
From this expression, which seems mindful of the Rinpa school, one can strongly feel the creativity overflowing from within him. In recent years, Sugita-san has also been working on wall art.
Kougei (Craft) and Art.
Witnessing him traverse these distinct realms, one senses his deep respect for Hon'ami Koetsu, alongside his own
bubbling, strong will to advance to the next stage.
Juu
Sugita-san explores his own expression while facing the material of lacquer every single day.
Perhaps it is we who have been looking forward the most to hosting "Juu," our first opportunity to introduce his work at AMAHARE.
By adding just one piece of Sugita-san's lacquerware, a comforting moisture is brought to both the dining table and the space, making everyday life feel fresh and pleasant.
Together with Sugita-san's beautiful works, we sincerely look forward to welcoming you.