Akito Akagi
Artist : Akito Akagi
Material : Urushi, Natural wood
Area : Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Akito Akagi, born in 1962 in Okayama Prefecture, is a lacquer artist who has pioneered the world of nurimono—lacquerware designed for everyday life. After a career as an editor, Akagi moved to Wajima, a renowned lacquerware region, where he apprenticed under Susumu Okamoto, a master of base coat painting. In 1994, he became independent and began creating his own works.
Akagi reinterprets the traditional designs of Japanese lacquerware, crafting pieces that reflect both the beauty of natural, organic forms and the needs of modern living. His interactions with creative chefs have also inspired innovative functional lacquerware. While often associated with special occasions, Akagi's nurimono is meant to be used daily, offering not only visual elegance but also a soft, comfortable feel when held or touched to the lips.
Dedicated to exploring the possibilities of lacquer, Akagi's works invite you to enjoy the beautiful and delicious moments they bring to everyday life.
［ Profile▼ ］
Lacquer painter. Born in 1962 Okayama, Japan.
Graduated from the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Letters of Chuo University.
He started his career as a magazine editor at a publishing company.
After that, he moved to Wajima in 1988,
and he became an apprentice to a base-coating master of Wajima lacquerware, Susumu Okamoto, in 1989.
He owns a studio and works independently since 1994.
Since then, He has been holding solo exhibitions in various places.
