KI-OKE SAWARA

From his remote studio located in the serene countryside of Lake Shiga near Kyoto, Shuji Nakagawa carries on the fine wood crafting traditions of the region and time-honored techniques that were passed down from his ancestors.

Hailing from a long lineage of marquetry masters, seventh-generation Nakagawa honed his craft under the mentoring of his father, Living National Treasure, Kiyotsugu Nakagawa, in Kyoto. Nakagawa has since built a comprehensive body of work of his own and established his personal practice in the serene countryside of Lake Shiga near Kyoto.

Though rooted in craftsmanship legacy and cultural heritage, Nakagawa's work breaks from tradition. Expanding upon the time-honored techniques that were passed down from his father, the artist taps into his individuality, voicing his artistic ideas through nonfunctional sculptural forms of larger scale. Created in 2023, this series was highlighted in the Kyoto Kyocera Museum exhibition 'Visionaries' curated by Noriko Kawakami last spring. From monumental sculptures to small objects of traditional functionality, Nakagawa’s pieces embody the artist’s deep respect for his organic medium — wood —, his artisanal dexterity, and the culture of humility that is shared among Japan’s master craftsmen.

His entire body of work highlights the essence and natural beauty of various local wood species. Often the artist chooses to work with Jindai-Sugi — a Japanese cedar sourced from Northern Japan's forests that symbolizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. Its weathered bark and intricate patterns evoke a sense of harmony where the passage of time is celebrated rather than feared.

The wood crafter explains the virtues of different wood species and why one may have been historically selected over another for certain purposes. “Sawara cypress has a soft smell and the ability to absorb water well, that is why we usually use it for rice keepers. The Hinoki cypress, however, has a strong scent. It’s not suitable for food and drink containers. Instead, its medicinal virtues make it a good species to use for wooden bathtubs and other bathroom elements” says Shuji-san.

Nakagawa's wood pieces are sought after both for the remarkably soft surfaces he is able to achieve and for the seamless curves of their silhouettes. His work has been exhibited in museums across Japan and Europe and is part of significant private and institutional collections.