by YOSHIDA Hiroyuki (b.1961)
Heisei Period, 2013
Red and black lacquer
22 x 22 x 17.5 cm (nested)
Signed. Signed and sealed tomobako
A work that further celebrates the ritual of a meal, by initial presentation in the form of a mountain. This is a traditional design of the three-tiered box with the ingenious model of nesting when stored into a single box. It has a striking architectural quality.
The eye is further satisfied by the rich quality of the red lacquer. The formula for this relies on the precise mix of mercury added to the formula. Yoshida-san is a master of this colour, and indeed worked the finish seen in the previous item. He first graduated in science in 1983, before returning to Wajima to apprentice under his father Yoshida Keichi, subsequently graduating from the Wajima Lacquer Arts Training Centre. Initially developing his craft as a team contributor in the traditional manner, specialising in the red lacquer finish coat, he has since 2005 headed his own studio. His work has been widely exhibited and awarded in Japan.