![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/429d0435df9493ba5d0136441104fd589aa68bbb-3307x2207.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Jewelry Box
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/0a75d2ddd03b61993c9b4b019a14e08ddb15df8d-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Designer/Manufacturer
Shuji NakagawaCirca
2024
Description
A centerpiece of the Kyocera Museum 2023 exhibition "Visionaries: Making Another Perspective" curated by Noriko Kawakami, this piece exemplifies Shuji Nakagawa’s mastery of Japanese marquetry. The museum exhibition highlighted Nakagawa’s sought-after woodwork as representative of the newfound creative freedom embraced by Japan’s contemporary luminaries and master-craftsmen, who are creating for the present with the future in mind and an unwavering respect for their cultural heritage and traditions.
Shuji Nakagawa
Shuji Nakagawa
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.
Shuji Nakagawa
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.
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei Ateliers Courbet Kyoto Woodworking Master Craftsmen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/21d6da2c2e520258cbf6eb267e4f0c98b7808f99-1500x2248.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
View the Collection
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/fceae068a4efa0f45068175a523af64147db7203-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Giant Crater
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/758ca5e9ff7a5a3bd2bcb529dc33b9f30cf08422-3600x3601.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Octagonal Cone
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/b6785bd93b4e198d56211cbdd6b40193a5879f4b-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Outer Shell
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/864e20c177466215641df98dc205282ce275de72-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Dent
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/a14130db9bc0f838fad09f439845c776cbc6e779-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Spread
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/3366f3e0f7c29b57a00f38eb8bda3d046009ac1f-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Rounded
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/e9ea0aff90b76b9d7887a4583c0bcedadf131d01-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Moon I
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/d11ec1c0ab6424556aa2877f9941c8910a6cfb0e-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Moon II
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/849b18ea12f229db91f3853990bc46d5d69f7e9f-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Moon III
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/56bc8e459dd1161a30e4020145ba012bd484dd5d-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Moon IV
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/0a75d2ddd03b61993c9b4b019a14e08ddb15df8d-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Jewelry Box
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/532f60e8a746e06ee1277bae50c825d83983df97-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Marquetry Box
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/1f466b2e80508c35cd65b11cccf8e549f0a7d8d8-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro XV
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/fb7017bb9befe0f67da55ab627e75abc08df2c69-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro III
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/f7a6c2f072a126bec8fdc0ae9bcf86c080123a39-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro XII
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/ede3fbefb9f614a16c725cdce327a789fece340f-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro V
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/c3f913d5d1503d894cf6a044186af15ef445373d-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro XIII
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/2e321f36eec696bc344619e94cfbd72ab03c51bc-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro VII
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/2bf5454e1a0a1f0351637a91ee83cfb48f39e62f-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro X
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/f30ed7310e299c3d05cd5d0da207cecaef80a845-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro I
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/076ad9fc7ba0debaf7714be43438eb7ed98d378b-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro VIII
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/b161e688681d16bb3f5c1054dcc7aa30b2e6aa90-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro XIV
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/93612cde4ecf731fe948e35e5194ccdfd4d776bb-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro XI
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/68aad1a5cba8f33f068d5e10c71e8f63ed2e5b7e-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro VI
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/11d1a05a0dff9cec500f5b5118e62272b6634160-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro IV
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/2e3cf18355c6afd633d36ebc010c5378d7996d7b-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro II
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/990e2aa2a14d9e0f637432081f72baebd0374d4c-3600x3600.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Yorishiro IX
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/38d247823b7494cb7affce517ff52af03d6d745a-11626x8719.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
INDIGO TABLE
![NAKAGAWA MOKKOUGEI ATELIERS COURBET JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP & DESIGN: INDIGO COFFEE TABLE](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/51dea8c2c110ddaf0bda46f39aaf487c29c630ef-1440x1440.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
INDIGO TABLE
![NAKAGAWA MOKKOUGEI AT COURBET ATELIERS](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/31688e6199343cd1e904f887a641d2dd98bec369-1786x1786.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
INDIGO LOW TABLE
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei About — Ateliers Courbet Gallery](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/e22a379f85d0de4d4644a3f2101773dfc118dccd-1344x1344.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KI-OKE JINDAI-SUGI
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei - Ateliers Courbet Ki Oke Stool](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/c65b358c95dc6b3ded71d343a23b4d8c4b9e025d-3744x3744.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KI-OKE SAWARA
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/711e881795abc775bb19fc0f8d91940194328061-1500x1500.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KONOHA JINDAI-SUGI
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/4d56d21ff42c5a52cf5e6f768931a21584e134fe-2592x2593.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
SHIZUKU HINOKI
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei - Ateliers Courbet Gallery](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/3d0b0f61e352d6a46a6f6fb929f7e35de035c0bd-5087x5087.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KOYA MAKI LOW
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei-Ateliers Courbet Gallery](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/9f01560ed87bb4e620a95c76fb3afc01311ba1d8-1500x1500.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
CEDAR BOWL
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei-Ateliers Courbet Gallery](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/14e97545731abfcc78bb8c35e9d2c29161fd873b-5792x5792.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KEYAKI ZELKOVA WOOD TRAY
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei - Ateliers Courbet Gallery](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/00f761ced186b029be0d062fd23ba3c4f2a31960-5792x5792.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KURO-GAKI PERSIMMON TRAY
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/0634b2997876b43e5272e37a6ba0f4dd821bc5a6-2780x2780.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
DIAMOND OMBRE
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/e1fedc4a2115688c41fa0f2dd0c5e54533e55b64-1500x1500.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KONOHA HINOKI
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/b2a0b44106caebf5161ec452196873e50f0162ad-2000x2000.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KOYA MAKI OMBRE
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/31367bc6655ab167bde6808a2900e89355e4f615-3728x3728.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
KONOHA KOYAMAKI
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/533b527a5263c7d3e6487c396767231859f54bb7-3024x3024.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
WAVE Square
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/2d4bc0444916dba336c9f017875ea4318f3b80f9-3234x3234.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
WAVE Pentagon
![Shuji Nakagawa Mokkougei at Ateliers Courbet](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ixyopm41/production/e23e99ec572a284602a04c3f6b4b3e8c083a889c-3024x3024.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
WAVE Triangle