Biography

Using chisels and planes , Tohru Matsuzaki carves the basic forms for his work from valuable blocks of solid zelkova or chestnut wood, finishing them in thick coatings of Japanese urushi lacquer.
He creates forms that appear simple but are highly refined; the vermilion red lacquer evokes images of the 
Jomon period (ca 11000 BC - ca 300 BC).

These unique works can be said to embody the essence of the Japanese ‘Mingei' folk craft movement.

 

Selected Exhibitions/Awards

1982 Received the Kokugakai New Talent Award
1987 Received the Kokugakai Affiliate Award for Excellence
1988 Nominated for membership of the Kokugakai.
2001 Produced the vases for Daniel Ost's “Daniel Ost Flower Festival” in Tokyo 2002 Contributed to Shigeru Uchida's Exhibit at the “Salone Internazionale del 
Mobile 2002” (Milan, Italy)

2003 ‘Turning Point: Oribe and the Arts of Sixteenth Century Japan” exhibition at

the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
2006-2009 Become a Chairman of the Judging Committee of Craft Section of the Kokugakai
2009 & 2012 Solo exhibition at Ippodo Gallery New York (New York, U.S.A.)

 

Works
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆すみまる茶櫃膳
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆すみまる茶櫃膳
    Lacquer
    H9 3/4 x W29 1/2 x D18 5/8 in
    H24.7 x W75 x D47.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆丸盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆丸盆
    Lacquer
    H3/4 x W17 3/4 x D17 3/4 in
    H2 x W45 x D45 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆丸盒子
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆丸盒子
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W2 3/4 x D2 3/4 in
    H3 x W7 x D7 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆丸茶櫃膳
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆丸茶櫃膳
    Lacquer
    H5 1/2 x W15 1/2 x D15 1/2 in
    H14 x W39.5 x D39.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆四方盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆四方盆
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W14 1/8 x D14 in
    H4.5 x W36 x D35.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆鎬茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆鎬茶器
    Lacquer
    H2 7/8 x W3 x D3 in
    H7.3 x W7.5 x D7.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆鎬茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆鎬茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 x W2 1/2 x D2 1/2 in
    H7.5 x W6.5 x D6.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆鎬茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆鎬茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 1/8 x W2 7/8 x D2 7/8 in
    H7.8 x W7.4 x D7.4 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆四方盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆四方盆
    Lacquer
    H1 7/8 x W14 5/8 x D14 5/8 in
    H4.7 x W37 x D37 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円重箱3段
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円重箱3段
    Lacquer
    H7 1/2 x W11 5/8 x D4 3/8 in
    H19 x W29.5 x D11 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆盒子
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆盒子
    Lacquer
    H2 x W2 3/8 x D2 3/8 in
    H5 x W6 x D6 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆花形箱
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆花形箱
    Lacquer
    H4 1/8 x W9 3/8 x D9 3/8 in
    H10.5 x W23.8 x D23.8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 3/8 x W3 1/4 x D3 1/4 in
    H8.6 x W8.3 x D8.3 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 1/4 x W2 1/2 x D2 1/2 in
    H8.4 x W6.3 x D6.3 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀塗分花形水指
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀塗分花形水指
    Lacquer
    H6 3/4 x W6 3/4 x D5 7/8 in
    H17 x W17 x D15 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀筒
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀筒
    Lacquer
    H4 x W5 3/8 x D5 3/8 in
    H10.2 x W13.7 x D13.7 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 栗拭漆丸盆, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    栗拭漆丸盆, 2019
    Lacquer
    H1 5/8 x W18 1/8 x D18 1/8 in
    H4 x W45.8 x D45.8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆日の丸盆, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆日の丸盆, 2017
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W16 1/2 x D16 1/2 in
    H2.6 x W42 x D42 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆象嵌丸盆, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆象嵌丸盆, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W9 7/8 x D9 7/8 in
    H2.8 x W25.2 x D25.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 塗分丸盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    塗分丸盆
    Lacquer
    H1 x W18 1/4 x D18 1/4 in
    H2.5 x W46.5 x D46.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆丸盆
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆丸盆
    Lacquer
    H1 x W14 3/8 x D14 3/8 in
    H2.5 x W36.5 x D36.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆塗分四方盆(内側:拭漆) - Vermillion lacquer square tray, 2013
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆塗分四方盆(内側:拭漆) - Vermillion lacquer square tray, 2013
    Lacquer
    H1 7/8 x W12 7/8 x D12 3/4 in
    H4.8 x W32.8 x D32.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆楕円重箱
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆楕円重箱
    Lacquer
    H7 1/8 x W12 1/8 x D4 3/4 in
    H17.8 x W30.8 x D12.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 拭漆黒楕円箱, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    拭漆黒楕円箱, 2020
    Lacquer
    H3 7/8 x W10 1/4 x D4 3/4 in
    H9.9 x W26 x D12 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆楕円蓋物, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆楕円蓋物, 2020
    Lacquer
    H4 1/8 x W8 1/4 x D4 3/4 in
    H10.6 x W21 x D12.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆すみまる重箱, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆すみまる重箱, 2020
    Lacquer
    H5 5/8 x W11 3/4 x D8 1/4 in
    H14.2 x W30 x D21 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆八角箱, 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆八角箱, 2018
    Lacquer
    H2 3/8 x W7 3/4 x D5 7/8 in
    H6 x W19.8 x D14.8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆梅形箱, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆梅形箱, 2019
    Lacquer
    H3 7/8 x W8 3/8 x D8 3/8 in
    H9.7 x W21.2 x D21.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円すみ入箱, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円すみ入箱, 2019
    Lacquer
    H1 1/2 x W9 7/8 x D6 1/4 in
    H3.8 x W25 x D16 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円箱, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円箱, 2019
    Lacquer
    H1 3/8 x W9 7/8 x D4 1/2 in
    H3.5 x W25 x D11.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円重箱, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円重箱, 2020
    Lacquer
    H4 1/2 x W9 1/8 x D3 7/8 in
    H11.3 x W23.2 x D9.8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆花形箱
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆花形箱
    Lacquer
    H4 1/8 x W6 1/4 x D6 1/4 in
    H10.5 x W16 x D16 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆楕円蓋物, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆楕円蓋物, 2020
    Lacquer
    H4 3/8 x W8 1/4 x D4 1/2 in
    H11 x W21 x D11.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆梅形鉢, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆梅形鉢, 2020
    Lacquer
    H2 1/2 x W10 1/4 x D10 1/4 in
    H6.2 x W25.9 x D25.9 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆輪花盛器, 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆輪花盛器, 2018
    Lacquer
    H2 7/8 x W14 3/8 x D14 3/8 in
    H7.3 x W36.6 x D36.6 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆厨子, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆厨子, 2020
    Lacquer
    H11 3/4 x W8 3/8 x D3 1/2 in
    H30 x W21.4 x D9cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 栗拭漆炉縁, 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    栗拭漆炉縁, 2018
    Lacquer
    H2 5/8 x W16 3/4 x D16 5/8 in
    H6.6 x W42.4 x D42.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀鎬足付皿 - Ridged Tray with Legs, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀鎬足付皿 - Ridged Tray with Legs, 2017
    Lacquer
    H1 x W9 1/2 in
    H2.5 x W24 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆縁銀四方盆 3枚組
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆縁銀四方盆 3枚組
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W13 7/16 x D13 3/8 in
    H2.8 x W34.2 x D34 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆鎬水指
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆鎬水指
    Lacquer
    H6 1/8 x W6 7/8 x D6 7/8 in
    H15.5 x W17.5 x D17.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆鎬水指, 2008
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆鎬水指, 2008
    Lacquer
    H6 1/4 x W5 7/8 x D5 7/8 in
    H16 x W15 x D15 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆水指, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆水指, 2019
    Lacquer
    H5 1/2 x W6 7/8 x D6 7/8 in
    H14 x W17.4 x D17.4 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒檀銀象嵌盒子(楕円) , 2005
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒檀銀象嵌盒子(楕円) , 2005
    Lacquer
    H1 3/8 x W4 1/8 x D2 1/4 in
    H3.5 x W10.2 x D5.8cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆丸盒子, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆丸盒子, 2019
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W3 1/8 x D3 1/8 in
    H3 x W8 x D8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 欅拭漆八角盒子, 2001
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    欅拭漆八角盒子, 2001
    Lacquer
    H2 1/4 x W3 1/8 x D3 1/8 in
    H5.6 x W7.8 x D7.8cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 欅拭漆すみきり盒子, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    欅拭漆すみきり盒子, 2017
    Lacquer
    H1 1/4 x W2 3/4 x D2 3/4 in
    H3.2 x W7.1 x D7.1cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器(口広), 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器(口広), 2019
    Lacquer
    H3 x W3 x D3 in
    H7.5 x W7.5 x D7.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器, 2006
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器, 2006
    Lacquer
    H2 7/8 x W3 1/4 x D3 1/4 in
    H7.4 x W8.1 x D8.1 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器, 2017
    Lacquer
    H2 7/8 x W2 7/8 x D2 7/8 in
    H7.2 x W7.2 x D7.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器
    Lacquerware
    H3 x W2 3/8 x D2 3/8 in
    H7.6 x W6.1 x D6.1 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器
    Lacquerware
    H3 1/2 x W2 3/8 x D2 3/8 in
    H8.8 x W6 x D6 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 3/8 x W3 1/2 x D3 1/2 in
    H8.5 x W9 x D9 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器
    Lacquer
    H3 3/8 x W3 1/2 x D3 1/2 in
    H8.5 x W9 x D9 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆茶器, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆茶器, 2020
    Lacquer
    H3 1/4 x W2 3/8 x D2 3/8 in
    H8.3 x W6 x D6 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆すみまる盒子, 2014
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆すみまる盒子, 2014
    Lacquer
    H1 3/8 x W5 1/4 x D4 5/8 in
    H3.5 x W13.3 x D11.8cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 銀漆茶杓
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    銀漆茶杓
    Lacquerware
    H7 3/8 x W1/2 x D5/8 in
    H18.6 x W1.2 x D1.7 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆額, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆額, 2019
    Lacquer
    H8 5/8 x W10 1/4 in
    H22 x W26 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆すみまる額 (鏡入), 2009
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆すみまる額 (鏡入), 2009
    Lacquer
    H11 3/8 x W13 3/4 in
    H29 x W35 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆丸鉢(内黒), 2011
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆丸鉢(内黒), 2011
    Lacquer
    H3 7/8 x W5 1/4 x D5 1/4 in
    H9.7 x W13.2 x D13.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 欅拭漆黒すみまる長手盆, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    欅拭漆黒すみまる長手盆, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 1/2 x W16 3/4 x D4 7/8 in
    H3.8 x W42.6 x D12.3 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆輪花鉢, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆輪花鉢, 2020
    Lacquer
    H3 5/8 x W6 1/8 x D6 1/4 in
    H9.2 x W15.6 x D16 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆蓮弁足付皿, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆蓮弁足付皿, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 7/8 x W18 x D10 3/4 in
    H4.7 x W45.6 x D27.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆蓮弁箱, 2006
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆蓮弁箱, 2006
    Lacquer
    H2 3/4 x W6 x D4 3/8 in
    H7 x W15.2 x D11.2cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆丸鉢, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆丸鉢, 2020
    Lacquer
    H3 7/8 x W5 1/4 x D5 1/8 in
    H9.7 x W13.2 x D13 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆蓮弁皿, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆蓮弁皿, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W18 1/8 x D10 3/4 in
    H4.5 x W46 x D27.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆長皿, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆長皿, 2020
    Lacquer
    H3/8 x W17 3/4 x D5 1/2 in
    H1.1 x W45.2 x D14 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆足付長皿, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆足付長皿, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 5/8 x W19 3/4 x D4 5/8 in
    H4.2 x W50 x D11.6 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 欅拭漆銀鎬足付皿, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    欅拭漆銀鎬足付皿, 2019
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W19 1/8 x D9 1/4 in
    H4.5 x W48.4 x D23.4 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 欅拭漆銀鎬足付皿, 2018
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    欅拭漆銀鎬足付皿, 2018
    Lacquer
    H1 1/8 x W17 5/8 x D10 1/4 in
    H3 x W44.7 x D26.2 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆足付長皿, 2019
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆足付長皿, 2019
    Lacquer
    H5/8 x W14 3/4 x D3 3/4 in
    H1.6 x W37.4 x D9.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Lacquer
    H3/8 x W17 3/8 x D11 3/4 in
    H1 x W44 x D30 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Lacquer
    H3/8 x W17 3/8 x D11 3/4 in
    H1 x W44 x D30 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆銀塗分敷板, 2015
    Lacquer
    H3/8 x W17 3/8 x D11 3/4 in
    H1 x W44 x D30 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆杯, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆杯, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W2 5/8 x D2 5/8 in
    H4.6 x W6.8 x D6.8 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆ぐい呑, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆ぐい呑, 2017
    Lacquer
    H1 5/8 x W2 1/2 x D2 1/2 in
    H4 x W6.5 x D6.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆ぐい呑, 2017
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆ぐい呑, 2017
    Lacquer
    H2 x W2 1/2 x D2 1/2 in
    H5 x W6.5 x D6.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 朱漆杯, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    朱漆杯, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 7/8 x W2 3/4 x D2 3/4 in
    H4.7 x W7 x D7 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W3 x D3 in
    H4.5 x W7.5 x D7.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W2 3/4 x D2 3/4 in
    H4.5 x W7 x D7 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    拭漆銀杯, 2020
    Lacquer
    H1 3/4 x W2 1/2 x D2 1/2 in
    H4.6 x W6.5 x D6.5 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 黒漆組小皿, 2020
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    黒漆組小皿, 2020
    Lacquer
    H5/8 x W3 1/2 x D3 1/2 in
    H1.5 x W9 x D9 cm
  • Tohru Matsuzaki, 織部水指 (漆蓋:松崎融)
    Tohru Matsuzaki
    織部水指 (漆蓋:松崎融)
    Antique/Ceramic
    H4 1/8 x W8 7/8 x D8 7/8 in
    H10.2 x W22.5 x D22.5 cm
Exhibitions