Following his father in the field of lacquer design
Katsuhiko's father Kurato is Aizu's pioneer lacquer design craftsman. "In my earlier days, I tried other fields for about two years, but 32 years have passed since I've settled in the art of lacquer," says Katsuhiko. Lacquer works are crafted by three different artists: the wood craftsman, the lacquer craftsman, and the lacquer design craftsman. The wood craftsman carves the form of the piece which is then given to the lacquer craftsman who coats it with urushi lacquer. The design craftsman decorates the lacquer coated piece with flowers and birds. "Traditional Aizu designs have been pines, bamboos, and plum blossoms, but the recent trends have incorporated designs of other native blooms. The most important quality of a lacquer designer is the ability to distinguish designs and colors in good taste. Lacquer designers must first study Japanese prints. There is now a school for starting lacquer designers."
Aizu's mountains and conifers his favorite theme
Mr. Terui's works have been selected eight times for The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition. He decorates utilitarian items while working on pieces for the exhibition. "Through my work for the exhibition, I get to hone my skills that I ordinarily cannot use for utilitarian ware. For instance, I can make gold and silver designs peak through their upper layer coating, insert clam shells, attach egg shells, or paste tin, gold, and silver leaves," says the artist. These sophisticated techniques can be seen on items at the store, but they are expensive. Mr. Terui's favorite themes are Aizu's mountains and conifers. Using the see-through technique, these designs have been worked into a blue panel which is inserted into a sliding door in Mr. Terui's studio. This extraordinary work represents a perfect match of traditional art and contemporary design.
Lacquer ware to accent interior decor
"I wish to continue making exhibition works while creating new designs that suit the modern lifestyle. I think the art of lacquer could be used in homes by displaying them on panels or inserting them in doors." Visitors can see Mr. Terui's studio by giving him advance notice. Mr. Terui welcomes input which he wishes to incorporate in creating a new trend of Aizu-nuri ware.
Terui Studio / 0242-22-7567
