Tohru Matsuzaki's Woodwork: From Joseon and Negoro to Art

Exhibition period: Friday, October 9 – Sunday, October 18, 2026

Venue: Ginza Ippodo

Brochure

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Artist's comment

As I grow older, I find myself simplifying the forms of my work while increasing the layers of lacquer, and it has become a joy to see the patterns that emerge—patterns that transcend my own conscious intent, creating a world for the eyes and the senses. Please pick up a piece and enjoy the sensation with your eyes and your hands.

Tohru Matsuzaki

Comment from Ippodo

Tohru Matsuzaki carves zelkova and horse chestnut wood from the Sakurai Meibokuten lumber shop in Gifu, then applies thick, multiple layers of high-quality Japanese lacquer. When I first saw his work, it reminded me of antique lacquerware I had found in the corner of a storehouse—pieces reminiscent of the Joseon dynasty or Negoro style. That was 40 years ago. Matsuzaki is conscious of the brushwork of the Western-style painter Noriyuki Ushijima, whom he met in his youth. This time, Ippodo Gallery will also feature woodwork with a strong artistic sensibility that is neither Joseon nor Negoro. Where is he headed, and what does he want to create? He has always kept me excited.

Keiko Aono, Ippodo Gallery

Reservation

Artist

Tohru Matsuzaki

1944 Born in Umegaoka, Tokyo
1967 Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, Tamagawa University
1974 Studied under potter Tatsuzo Shimaoka
1982 First selection for the Kokugakai Exhibition
1983 Received the Kokugakai Newcomer Award; held first solo exhibition at Seibu Department Store, Ikebukuro
1984 Became a Kokugakai associate member; held solo exhibition at Meitetsu Department Store, Nagoya
1987 Received the Kokugakai Associate Member Excellence Award
1988 Recommended as a member of the Kokugakai; moved studio to Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture
1992 Held solo exhibition at Hankyu Department Store, Umeda (held annually thereafter); held joint exhibition with brother at Yurakucho Hankyu Department Store
1995 Exhibited in "Contemporary Japanese Crafts & Jewelry" (Los Angeles)
2001 Created vessels for the "Daniel Ost Flower Festival" in Tokyo
2002 Participated in the Shigeru Uchida exhibition at "Milano Salone 2002" (Italy)
2003 Exhibited in "Oribe" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
2008 "CHANO-YU: Shigeru Uchida & 7 Artists" (Ippodo Gallery, New York)
2009 Held solo exhibition at Ippodo Gallery, New York (subsequent exhibitions in 2012 and 2016)
Also held various solo and joint exhibitions with brother annually in other locations.

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Art Works

Tohru Matsuzakiのこれまでの作品