Onihira Keiji is a urushi artist, born in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1973. He is an official member of the Japan Kogei Association, and a member of Wajima Lacquerware Technique Preservation Society, which contributes to preservation of Important Intangible Cultural Property.
At age 18, Onihira received mentorship from the Maki-e artist Kumano Sadahisa. After completing Ishikawa Prefectural Institute of Wajima Lacquer Techniques in Maki-e concentration, Onihira’s work has been included in numerous exhibitions such as Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibitions.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 Asia Week, New York, US
2024 The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima & Waves of Resilience, New York, US
Salon Art + Design, New York, US
2021 Wajima Museum of Urushi Art 30th Anniverasary Special Exhibition “Made in Wajima – Age of Urushi,” Wajima Museum of Urushi Art, Ishiwaka, Japan
2018 Japanese Lacquer Work, Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, Kanazawa, Japan
2018 Urushi Tradition and Innovation, Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, SOGO Museum of Art, MOA Museum of Art, Japan
Selected Awards
2023 The 70th Anniversary Award at the 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
2018 Ishikawa Prefecture Culture Awards – Public Recognition Prize
2011 The 52nd Traditional Crafts Exhibition of Ishikawa - Kanazawa City Mayor Prize
The 58th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition – Japan Crafts Association Honorable Prize
2006 The Mayor of Kanazawa Award at the 47th Ishikawa Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
2004 Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 21st Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Urushi Works