EXHIBITION
UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Kintsugi and Urushi — The Beauty of Restoration and Tradition
Period Thursday, June 26 – Thursday, July 17, 2025
Sake Set “Hana” (Yamakyu Japanware / Design: Hisakazu Suzuki)
Rather than hiding damage, it is transformed into beauty. Rather than being discarded, a broken object is given new life. This philosophy of “restoration” lies at the heart of two traditional Japanese crafts: Kintsugi (gold joinery) and Urushi (lacquerware).
This exhibition explores the theme of “Kintsugi and Urushi,” presenting both traditional and contemporary approaches to preservation and continuity, uniquely rooted in Japanese craftsmanship.
Featured works include lacquerware by Wajimaya Zenni, an esteemed lacquer studio founded in 1813 in Wajima, and contemporary pieces by Yamakyu Japanware, a third-generation workshop based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture. Together, these two makers represent two of Japan’s most prominent lacquerware-producing regions: Wajima and Echizen.
In January 2024, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake caused severe damage to many workshops and artisans in Wajima. In response, the Echizen Lacquerware Cooperative in Fukui has provided support, including lending tools and workspaces, and organizing donation efforts. This exhibition introduces these cooperative efforts, highlighting the interregional connections that sustain the continuity of lacquer culture.
Also, on view are works by artist Taku Nakano, whose original mosaic kintsugi technique breathes new life into broken ceramics, offering a contemporary take on the Japanese aesthetic of repair and renewal.
In addition, the exhibition includes related displays: expressive ink works by Kayo Kitakomi, a calligrapher who explores memory and time through brush and poetry, and landscape photography by Hachiro Watanabe, known as a “car-camping photographer,” who captures hidden moments in familiar places using dramatic backlighting. Through ink and light, these works evoke themes of impermanence and renewal, complementing the core message of the exhibition.
We invite you to experience the resonance of tradition and innovation through these diverse works.
Gallery Talk
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Speakers: Taku Nakano (Artist)
We will be hosting a gallery talk by mosaic kintsugi artist Taku Nakano. He will speak about his unique techniques for beautifully restoring broken ceramics and share the background behind his creative process.
Admission: Free
RSVP required: gallery@nipponclub.org
Supported by JCC Fund
In cooperation with Yamakyu Japanware Co., Ltd. (Echizen Lacquerware Cooperative), Wajimaya Zenni, Taku Nakano (TNCA☆)
Curated by Shoko Hayashi
Exhibition Period: Thursday, June 26 – Thursday, July 17, 2025
Venue: The Nippon Gallery at The Nippon Club (145 West 57th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019)
Gallery Hours: Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM / Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM / Closed on Sundays and July 4
Admission: Free
Inquiries:gallery@nipponclub.org
