Yasuhiro Asai

Yasuhiro ASAI（浅井康宏, Asai Yasuhiro, born 9 June 1983）is an urushi Japanese lacquer artist and a maki-e artisan. He was born in Tottori Prefecture,[1][2] Japan.

Yasuhiro ASAI
Born (1983-06-09) June 9, 1983
AwardsThe 59th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, "Newcomer Award" | The 32nd Japan Traditional Urushi Art Exhibition, The Cultural Affairs Agency Commossioner's Award | The 53rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Exhibition, "Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Prize"

Biography

Born on June 9, 1983,[3] Yasuhiro Asai became interested in Urushi (Japanese lacquer) and Maki-e while studying at Kibi Kogen High School.[4] In 2004, he graduated from Takaoka National College, Urushi lacquer Craft Course of the Department of Industrial Design.[5] In 2005, he studied under Kazumi Murose (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).[6]

In 2007, Asai became independent, opening his own maki-e studio.[7] He has been based in Kyoto City[8] since June 2017.[9]

In October 2023, the "Incense Burner with Maki-e and Inlaid Mother-of-pearl, "Yōraku""[10] was acquired by the British Museum.[11][12]

In November 2024, at the age of 41, the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art hosted his first 'homecoming exhibition.'[13]

In September 2025, BVLGARI and Yasuhiro Asai announced two collaborative timepieces LVCEA "Notte di Luce."[14][15][16]

Asai is a member of the Urushiko Shigaku Gakkai (History of Lacquerware Association), Nihon Bunkazai Urushi Kyokai(Japan Association for Cultural Property Lacquer), and the Japan Art Craft Association[17]

Principal Award History

Source:[18]

  • 2002　Japan Urushi Association, "Scholarship Award"
  • 2004　Takaoka National College, "Yokoyama Prize"
  • 2008　The 51st Japan Traditional Kōgei Chugoku Branch Exhibition, "Tottori Governor's Award"
  • 2010　The 54th Tottori Prefectural Art Exhibition, "Scholarship Award"[19]
  • 2012　The 55th Japan Traditional Kōgei Chugoku Branch Exhibition, "Scholarship Award"[20]
  • 2012　The 59th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition,"Newcomer Award"[21]
  • 2015　The 32nd Japan Traditional Urushi Works Exhibition, The Cultural Affairs Agency Commissioner's Award[22]
  • 2017　The 57th Exhibition of East Japan Traditional "KŌGEI", "Scholarship Award"[23]
  • 2018　Energia Culture and Sports Foundation, Energia Prize, Art Category[24]
  • 2021　The 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Exhibition, "Kyoto Newspaper Prize"[25]
  • 2024　The 53rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Exhibition, "Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Prize"[26]
  • 2025　Tottori Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award[27][28]

Exhibits

Sources:[29][30]

  • 2015 "Nicolai Bergmann - Flowers & Design", Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo
  • 2015 "Urushi no Mirai", Takahashi Setsuro Art Museum of Azumino, Nagano
  • 2018 Ambiente 2018 (Germany), Kyoto Zuihodo Booth, Frankfurt
  • 2018 Craft Sake Week, "Syukiya", Tokyo
  • 2018 "Urushi no Genzai 2018", Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo
  • 2018 Art Expo Malaysia 2018, Gallery Hanakagesho Booth, Kuala Lumpur
  • 2018 URUSHI Dento to Kakushin (Tradition and Innovation), Kanagawa
  • 2019 "Our Collections! ~Tottori-ken no Art Collection no Koremade to Korekara~", Tottori Prefectural Museum, Tottori
  • 2019 "Bi no Yokan 2019―∞directions―[31]",Takashimaya, Tokyo; Osaka; Kyoto; Aichi
  • 2019 "Gendai Kogei no Tenkai (Development of Contemporary Japanese Arts & Crafts) 2019", Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, Ishikawa
  • 2021 CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK "Japanese and Korean Art"[32]
  • 2021 "Shikkai - Kaze no Jidai no Keishosyatachi -", Takashimaya, Tokyo; Osaka; Kyoto; Kanagawa
  • 2022 "Genshi no Shouchu -Gendai Shitsugeika 4nin no Rinko- Contemporary Urushi Art Exhibition by Four Artists", Ginza Wako, Tokyo
  • 2023 CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK "Japanese and Korean Art"[33]
  • 2024 "Waza wo Kiwameru Mastering the Art : Exploring the Cultural Messages Connoted in Japanese Works",[34] (Former) KOGEI center, Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2024 "Special Exhibition: Embracing Traditional Craftsmanship - Where Skill and Beauty Meet (Urushi Art)",[35][36] the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, Okayama
  • 2024 "Waza no Bi Mastering the Art : Exploring the Cultural Messages Connoted in Japanese Works",[37] (Former) KOGEI center, Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2025 "KO+GEI Kyoto 2025" (CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto concurrent exhibition), Shōsei-en Garden, Kyoto[38][39]
  • 2026 "KO+GEI 2026", Tokyo Art Club, Tokyo[40][41]

Solo exhibitions

  • April 2017 "光をめぐる[Hikari wo Meguru] (Follow the Light)", Seibu Ikebukuro, Tokyo[42]
  • November 2021 "情熱[Jonetsu]ーPassionー", Seibu Ikebukuro, Tokyo[43][44]

Collections

  • John C. Weber Collection[45]
  • L.U.CEUM Collection, Chopard Manufacture, Fleurier, Switzerland[46]
  • FONDAZIONE MASI[47]

Public Collection

Selected Projects / Others

Books

  • -光をめぐる- [Hikari wo Meguru (Follow the Light)] Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works　Author: Yasuhiro Asai. Published by Studio Zipangu　First Edition, April 1, 2017,　ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4[55]
  • 情熱-Passion- Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Lacquerware Works　Author: Yasuhiro Asai. Published by Studio Zipangu　First Edition, November 10, 2021,　ISBN 978-4-9909546-1-1[56][57][58][59]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "SEIZAN Gallery". Archived from the original on 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  2. ↑ "Hikari wo Meguru(Follow the Light)" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2017. ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4.
  3. ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  4. ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  5. ↑ "Official website Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  6. ↑ "[The Pursuit of Radiance in Lacquer], official magazine by the Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan, "HIGHLIGHTING Japan"".
  7. ↑ "PR TIMES". Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  8. ↑ "[新しい消費のワケ１(Reasons for new consumption 1)]". The Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 2022-01-04. p. 11.
  9. ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  10. ↑ "Official Site Works". Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  11. ↑ "British Museum Collection page". Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  12. ↑ "超絶技巧で仕上げた香炉、大英博物館に　「世界に通じる漆芸」目指す". The Asahi Shimbun. pp. Evening Edition 3. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  13. ↑ "Official Site Information "Exhibition Information"". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  14. 1 2 "INNO TO LIGHT". BVLGARI Official Instagram. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  15. 1 2 "BVLGARI Collaboration". Official Site Information. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  16. ↑ "【ブルガリ】気鋭の漆芸作家、浅井康宏氏とのコラボレーション「ルチェア ノッテ デ ルーチェ」を発表". PR TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  17. ↑ "Japan Kogei Association". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  18. ↑ "Hikari wo Meguru(Follow the Light)" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2017. ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4.
  19. ↑ "Tottori Prefecture Web Site".
  20. ↑ "Tortoiseshell jewelry box with Maki-e". Japan Kógei Association.
  21. ↑ "Tortoiseshell jewelry box with Maki-e and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay,"Way of Light "". Japan Kógei Association.
  22. ↑ "Jewelry Box with Maki-e, "Toki (Pulse of Light) "". Japan Kógei Association.
  23. ↑ "Hexagonal Incense Container with Maki-e". Japan Kógei Association.
  24. ↑ "EnerGia Culture and Sports Foundation". Archived from the original on 2022-01-30. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  25. ↑ "Box with Maki-e and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, "Dainichi"". Japan Kógei Association.
  26. ↑ "Official Site Biography".
  27. ↑ "令和6年度鳥取県文化功労賞及び文化奨励賞受賞者の決定". Tottori Prefecture Web Site. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  28. ↑ "活躍たたえ賞状など贈呈　鳥取県文化功労賞・文化奨励賞表彰式". Nihonkai Shimbun. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
  29. ↑ "-Passion-" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Lacquerware Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2021. ISBN 978-4-9909546-1-1.
  30. ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  31. ↑ "CiNii Books AUthor". Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  32. ↑ "Tenchi (Heaven and Earth)".
  33. ↑ "CHRISTIES LIVE AUCTION 21618 JAPANESE AND KOREAN ART". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  34. ↑ "技を極める——伝統工芸が伝えるメッセージ".
  35. ↑ "Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  36. ↑ "Official Site Information "Exhibition Information"". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  37. ↑ "わざの美——工芸が織りなす装飾の世界".
  38. ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2026-07-24.
  39. ↑ "CURATION⇄FAIR". Retrieved 2026-07-24.
  40. ↑ "Official Site Biography "Exhibits"".
  41. ↑ "KO+GEI Tokyo Art Club Instagram". Retrieved 2026-07-24.
  42. ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  43. ↑ "Yasuhiro ASAI Official Secretariat". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  44. ↑ "工＋藝 KO+GEI "ARTISTS"". Retrieved 2026-07-24.
  45. ↑ "Official Site Biography".
  46. ↑ "Official Site Biography".
  47. ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  48. ↑ "British Museum Collection page". Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  49. ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  50. ↑ "浅井康宏さん作 大英博物館収蔵　鳥取県出身の漆芸家「世界通用」". Nihonkai Shimbun. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  51. ↑ "京都市右京区の蒔絵師の作品が大英博物館に収蔵「美しく、とてつもない職人技」との評価". The Kyoto Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2024-01-17. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  52. ↑ "2023 Edition: Yasuhiro Asai (Japan)". MASI Costasera Contemporary Art. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  53. ↑ "MASI "Costasera Contemporary Art" 2023". Official Site Information. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  54. ↑ "BVLGARI, Lvcea Notte Di Luce". www.gphg.org (in French). Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  55. ↑ "Official Store | 光をめぐる". OCLC 1311945205. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  56. ↑ "Official Store | Passion". OCLC 1302958337. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  57. ↑ "Passion : Asai yasuhiro : a collection of lacquerware works". OCLC 1385513558. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  58. ↑ "Passion : Asai yasuhiro : a collection of lacquerware works / Yasuhiro Asai". National Gallery of Australia Research Library & Archives. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  59. ↑ "Passion : Yasuhiro Asai = 情熱 : 浅井康宏 浅井, 康宏; Studio Zipangu". UCLA Library. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
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