Exhibition/event has ended.
"Splendor of Kyo Maki-e: Zohiko Urushi Art and the Mitsui Family" Exhibition
Mitsui Memorial Museum
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Artists
Zohiko
The Meiji Restoration meant the loss of the Japanese art world's powerful support base of daimyo clanlords, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The flow of Western culture into the newly opened country further contributed to the decline of traditional and decorative arts. The Mitsui family, who lived in Kyoto while operating major stores in Edo, contributed to Kyoto culture as one of the major merchant families of the day. Possibly sensing the dangers of this cultural upheaval, the Mitsui family set out to actively patronize and support Kyoto area artisans, such as the Eiraku family of kyoyaki style potters. The Zohiko maki-e lacquer introduced in this exhibition is a Kyoto form of lacquer product that was also heavily supported by the Mitsui family.
The history of Zohiko ware can be traced back some 350 years, to its founding by the first generation Nishimura Hikobei (1719-1773), born in Kohama in Omi province. In 1731, Hikobei was apprenticed to the Kyoto karamono shop, Zogeya. That family was dying out, so Hikobei took the name Zogeya Hikobei. The Zogeya main family dates back to Kambun 1 (1661), which also marks the founding of the original family shop. Today the 9th generation head of the Zohiko family runs the company, and they continue to make and sell the family trade of Kyoto lacquer wares as part of the long family tradition. They specialize in presentation wares and luxury items, which are particularly popular in the Kansai area. From the Meiji era to the pre-war Showa era, they were patronized by the Mitsui family, other wealthy merchant families and the imperial household, and were renowned for their elegant and gorgeous maki-e production.
This exhibition features the first ever public exhibition of the entire group of approximately 40 Zohiko maki-e works from the former Mitsui family collection and, along with more than 30 works from various other collections, will serve to introduce visitors to the fascinating wares of modern Zohiko lacquer. We hope that visitors to the exhibition will fully enjoy the gold and silver glimmering realm of elegant Kyoto maki-e.
The history of Zohiko ware can be traced back some 350 years, to its founding by the first generation Nishimura Hikobei (1719-1773), born in Kohama in Omi province. In 1731, Hikobei was apprenticed to the Kyoto karamono shop, Zogeya. That family was dying out, so Hikobei took the name Zogeya Hikobei. The Zogeya main family dates back to Kambun 1 (1661), which also marks the founding of the original family shop. Today the 9th generation head of the Zohiko family runs the company, and they continue to make and sell the family trade of Kyoto lacquer wares as part of the long family tradition. They specialize in presentation wares and luxury items, which are particularly popular in the Kansai area. From the Meiji era to the pre-war Showa era, they were patronized by the Mitsui family, other wealthy merchant families and the imperial household, and were renowned for their elegant and gorgeous maki-e production.
This exhibition features the first ever public exhibition of the entire group of approximately 40 Zohiko maki-e works from the former Mitsui family collection and, along with more than 30 works from various other collections, will serve to introduce visitors to the fascinating wares of modern Zohiko lacquer. We hope that visitors to the exhibition will fully enjoy the gold and silver glimmering realm of elegant Kyoto maki-e.
Schedule | Sep 17 (Sat) 2011-Nov 13 (Sun) 2011 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1200, University and High School Students ¥700, Junior High School Students and under free. | ||||
| Venue | Mitsui Memorial Museum http://www.mitsui-museum.jp/english/english.html  | ||||
| Location | 7F Mitsui Honkan, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0022 | ||||
| Access | 3 minute walk from exit A7 at Mitsukoshimae Station on the Ginza and Hanzomon lines, 4 minute walk from exit B11 at Nihombashi Station on the Ginza and Tozai lines or Toei Asakusa line, 7 minute walk from Nihombashi exit of JR Tokyo Station. | ||||
| Phone | 050-5541-8600 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it  |
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