Murose Kazumi Japanese, Living National Treasure, b. 1950

Born to established and esteemed urushi (lacquer) artist Murose Shunji (1911-1989), the young Murose became aware from an early age of the need to bridge two worlds: that of tradition and that of forced adaptation to a Westernized lifestyle.

 

Murose learned urushi in earnest at the Tokyo University of the Arts, and studied under the urushi master and Living National Treasure Matsuda Gonroku (1896-1986). Gonroku’s principle student, Taguchi Yoshikuni (1923-1998), was also Murose’s mentor. Under their tutelage, Murose learned as a craftsman about the rich history and techniques of urushi.

 

 As an artist, he followed the artistic spirit of Matsuda Gonroku, and especially of Taguchi, to refine and develop his own working styles. His works are deeply rooted in tradition while his designs explore new ways of expressing the beauty of urushi that speaks to the modern world. Apart from his creative works, he devotes his time in Japan as well as abroad to the restoration of cultural assets. In 2008, he was designated Living National Treasure.

 

Selected Exhibitions:

2025  Asia Week New York, US

2024  Asia Week New York, US 

2023  Japan Traditional Kōgei Annual Exhibition, Japan 

2023  Living National Treasure Annual Exhibition, Japan 

2020 "Craft 2020 - Shapes of Nature and Beauty" ExhibitionTokyo, National Museum, Japan

2019  World of Living National Treasure Kazumi Murose, MOA Museum, Japan

2017  Solo Exhibition of Lacquered Doors at the Front Entrance of MOA Museum Solo Exhibition, Embassy of Japan, London, UK 

2016  Crafts - Creation of Kogei - Living National Treasure Exhibition, Wako, Tokyo, Japan

2014  "Present State of Living National Treasures" ExhibitionTokyo National Museum, Japan

2013  "From Crafts to KOGEI" ExhibitionNational Museum of Modern Art,  Crafts Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

 

Selected Awards: 

2021  Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays 

2008  Medal with Purple Ribbon 

2006  Japan Cultural Arts Promotion Award 

2002  49th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan, Kogei Association Incentive Award

2000  47th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Tokyo, Governor's Award

1985   2nd Japan Traditional Lacquerware Exhibition, Japan Kogei Association Award

32nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan Kogei Association Award Incentive Award

 

Selected Public Collections :

Agency for Cultural Affairs | Japan 

MOA Museum | Shizuoka, Japan 

Ise Shrine | Mie, Japan 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York, US 

Victoria & Albert Museum | London, UK 

British Museum | London, UK 

Tokyo University of the Arts | Japan 

Tokyo National Museum, Crafts Gallery | Japan 

Japan National Museum of Modern Art 

Berlin Nichidokai Hall | Germany 

Kyushu Sangyo University | Fukuoka, Japan 

Narukawa Art Museum | Ishikawa, Japan 

Toyota City Kaorino Museum | Japan 

Kōtōhiragu Shrine | Kagawa, Japan 

Jingu Museum of Fine Arts | Mie, Japan 

Atsuta Shrine | Aichi, Japan 

Yuten-ji Temple, Tokyo, Japan