For over 40 years, I have worked to integrate traditional techniques with various materials.
As I worked to integrate new materials, I discovered a synthetic opal called Kyoto Opal, developed by Kyocera using leading-edge technology.
One lacquerware technique inlays the nacreous layer, or mother-of-pearl, found in shells, to enhance beauty.
I decided to use the synthetic Kyoto Opal instead of natural materials, such as mother-of-pearl or eggshells, and found it created an unexpected effect.
Normally, inlaid mother-of-pearl sparkles from only one direction, but when I used Kyoto Opal, it sparkled from various angles.
By integrating this new material, Kyoto Opal, I devised a new lacquerware technique I call Saikiko (“colored luminescence”).
The base for this box was formed using a layering 3D printer.
I use the Saikiko technique on 3D-printed bases like this one to create a new type of modern artwork that challenges preconceived ideas about lacquerware and shines a light on the future of traditional Kogei art.
