Jihei Murase

A third-generation woodworker and lacquer craftsman, Murase performs every stage of the production himself, from turning the wooden bases to applying the natural urushi lacquer. He inherited his grandfather's close association with the tea ceremony and carries out research into tea-ceremony utensils. Using his skill on the lathe he creates superb forms he demonstrates his outstanding lacquering technique in the finish. He produces unique Negoro-style works that are ideally suited to the twenty-first century. 

1957 Born in Tokyo as the grandson of the first generation Jihei who was a craftsman working with the wooden base and lacquer coating under the direction and patronage of Kitaoji Rosanjin.

1975 Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan High School of Music & the Fine Arts

1980 Graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo Zokei University. 

Joined the long-standing family lacquerware wooden base and coating business.

Received instruction in the Way of Tea from Ikeda Sokan of Hibi-an, a Master of the Urasenke School of Tea.

2001 Inherited the name, Jihei III, and the position of 7th generation lacquerware base maker. 

Public Collection

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

Yale University Art Gallery (Asian art collection) (New Haven, Connecticut, USA)