# Yasuhiro Asai

Yasuhiro ASAI（浅井康宏, Asai Yasuhiro, born 9 June 1983）is an urushi Japanese lacquer artist and a maki-e artisan. He was born in Tottori Prefecture, Japan.

## Biography

Born on June 9, 1983, Yasuhiro Asai became interested in Urushi (Japanese lacquer) and Maki-e while studying at Kibi Kogen High School. In 2004, he graduated from Takaoka National College, Urushi lacquer Craft Course of the Department of Industrial Design. In 2005, he studied under Kazumi Murose (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).
In 2007, Asai became independent, opening his own maki-e studio. He has been based in Kyoto City since June 2017.
In October 2023, the "Incense Burner with Maki-e and Inlaid Mother-of-pearl, "Yōraku"" was acquired by the British Museum.
In November 2024, at the age of 41, the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art hosted his first 'homecoming exhibition.'
Asai is a member of the Urushiko Shigaku Gakkai (History of Lacquerware Association), Nihon Bunkazai Urushi Kyokai(Japan Association for Cultural Property Lacquer), and the Japan Art Craft Association

## Principal Award History

* 2002　Japan Urushi Association, "Scholarship Award"
* 2004　Takaoka National College, "Yokoyama Prize"
* 2008　The 51st Japan Traditional Kōgei Chugoku Branch Exhibition, "Tottori Governor's Award"
* 2010　The 54th Tottori Prefectural Art Exhibition, "Scholarship Award"
* 2012　The 55th Japan Traditional Kōgei Chugoku Branch Exhibition, "Scholarship Award"
* 2012　The 59th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition,"Newcomer Award"
* 2015　The 32nd Japan Traditional Urushi Works Exhibition, The Cultural Affairs Agency Commissioner's Award
* 2017　The 57th Exhibition of East Japan Traditional "KŌGEI", "Scholarship Award"
* 2018　Energia Culture and Sports Foundation, Energia Prize, Art Category
* 2021　The 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Exhibition, "Kyoto Newspaper Prize"
* 2024　The 53rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Exhibition, "Japan Traditional Kōgei Kinki Prize"
* 2025　Tottori Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award

## Exhibits

* 2015 "Nicolai Bergmann - Flowers & Design", Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo
* 2015 "Urushi no Mirai", Takahashi Setsuro Art Museum of Azumino, Nagano
* 2018 Ambiente 2018 (Germany), Kyoto Zuihodo Booth, Frankfurt
* 2018 Craft Sake Week, "Syukiya", Tokyo
* 2018 "Urushi no Genzai 2018", Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo
* 2018 Art Expo Malaysia 2018, Gallery Hanakagesho Booth, Kuala Lumpur
* 2018 URUSHI Dento to Kakushin (Tradition and Innovation), Kanagawa
* 2019 "Our Collections! ~Tottori-ken no Art Collection no Koremade to Korekara~", Tottori Prefectural Museum, Tottori
* 2019 "Bi no Yokan 2019―∞directions―",Takashimaya, Tokyo; Osaka; Kyoto; Aichi
* 2019 "Gendai Kogei no Tenkai (Development of Contemporary Japanese Arts & Crafts) 2019", Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, Ishikawa
* 2021 CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK "Japanese and Korean Art"
* 2021 "Shikkai - Kaze no Jidai no Keishosyatachi -", Takashimaya, Tokyo; Osaka; Kyoto; Kanagawa
* 2022 "Genshi no Shouchu -Gendai Shitsugeika 4nin no Rinko- Contemporary Urushi Art Exhibition by Four Artists", Ginza Wako, Tokyo
* 2023 CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK "Japanese and Korean Art"
* 2024 "Waza wo Kiwameru Mastering the Art : Exploring the Cultural Messages Connoted in Japanese Works", (Former) KOGEI center, Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
* 2024 "Special Exhibition: Embracing Traditional Craftsmanship - Where Skill and Beauty Meet (Urushi Art)", the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, Okayama
* 2024 "Waza no Bi Mastering the Art : Exploring the Cultural Messages Connoted in Japanese Works", (Former) KOGEI center, Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

## Solo exhibitions

* April 2017 "光をめぐる[Hikari wo Meguru] (Follow the Light)", Seibu Ikebukuro, Tokyo
* November 2021 "情熱[Jonetsu]ーPassionー", Seibu Ikebukuro, Tokyo

## Collections

* John C. Weber Collection
* L.U.CEUM Collection, Chopard Manufacture, Fleurier, Switzerland
* FONDAZIONE MASI

## Public Collection

* British Museum

## Books

* -光をめぐる- [Hikari wo Meguru (Follow the Light)] Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works　Author: Yasuhiro Asai. Published by Studio Zipangu　First Edition, April 1, 2017,　ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4
* 情熱-Passion- Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Lacquerware Works　Author: Yasuhiro Asai. Published by Studio Zipangu　First Edition, November 10, 2021,　ISBN 978-4-9909546-1-1

## Footnotes

* ↑ "SEIZAN Gallery". Retrieved 2022-02-05.
* ↑ "Hikari wo Meguru(Follow the Light)" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2017. ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4.
* ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
* ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
* ↑ "Official website Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
* ↑ "[The Pursuit of Radiance in Lacquer], official magazine by the Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan, "HIGHLIGHTING Japan"".
* ↑ "PR TIMES". Retrieved 2022-02-07.
* ↑ "[新しい消費のワケ１(Reasons for new consumption 1)]". The Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 2022-01-04. p. 11.
* ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-02-15.
* ↑ "Official Site Works". Retrieved 2024-04-29.
* ↑ "British Museum Collection page". Retrieved 2024-04-29.
* ↑ "超絶技巧で仕上げた香炉、大英博物館に　「世界に通じる漆芸」目指す". The Asahi Shimbun. pp. Evening Edition 3. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
* ↑ "Official Site Information "Exhibition Information"". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
* ↑ "Japan Kogei Association". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
* ↑ "Hikari wo Meguru(Follow the Light)" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Maki-e Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2017. ISBN 978-4-9909546-0-4.
* ↑ "Tottori Prefecture Web Site".
* ↑ "Tortoiseshell jewelry box with Maki-e". Japan Kógei Association.
* ↑ "Tortoiseshell jewelry box with Maki-e and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay,"Way of Light "". Japan Kógei Association.
* ↑ "Jewelry Box with Maki-e, "Toki (Pulse of Light) "". Japan Kógei Association.
* ↑ "Hexagonal Incense Container with Maki-e". Japan Kógei Association.
* ↑ "EnerGia Culture and Sports Foundation".
* ↑ "Box with Maki-e and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, "Dainichi"". Japan Kógei Association.
* ↑ "Official Site Biography".
* ↑ "令和6年度鳥取県文化功労賞及び文化奨励賞受賞者の決定". Tottori Prefecture Web Site. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
* ↑ "活躍たたえ賞状など贈呈　鳥取県文化功労賞・文化奨励賞表彰式". Nihonkai Shimbun. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
* ↑ "-Passion-" Yasuhiro Asai A Collection of Lacquerware Works (in Japanese). Studio Zipangu. 2021. ISBN 978-4-9909546-1-1.
* ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
* ↑ "CiNii Books AUthor". Retrieved 2022-02-06.
* ↑ "Tenchi (Heaven and Earth)".
* ↑ "CHRISTIES LIVE AUCTION 21618 JAPANESE AND KOREAN ART". Retrieved 2023-11-26.
* ↑ "技を極める——伝統工芸が伝えるメッセージ".
* ↑ "Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
* ↑ "Official Site Information "Exhibition Information"". Retrieved 2025-01-03.
* ↑ "わざの美——工芸が織りなす装飾の世界".
* ↑ "Official Blog". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
* ↑ "Yasuhiro ASAI Official Secretariat". Retrieved 2022-01-30.
* ↑ "Official Site Biography".
* ↑ "Official Site Biography".
* ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-11-15.
* ↑ "British Museum Collection page". Retrieved 2023-12-01.
* ↑ "Official Site Biography". Retrieved 2023-12-01.
* ↑ "浅井康宏さん作 大英博物館収蔵　鳥取県出身の漆芸家「世界通用」". Nihonkai Shimbun. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
* ↑ "京都市右京区の蒔絵師の作品が大英博物館に収蔵「美しく、とてつもない職人技」との評価". The Kyoto Shimbun. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
* ↑ "Official Store | 光をめぐる". OCLC 1311945205. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
* ↑ "Official Store | Passion". OCLC 1302958337. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
* ↑ "Passion : Asai yasuhiro : a collection of lacquerware works". OCLC 1385513558. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
* ↑ "Passion : Asai yasuhiro : a collection of lacquerware works / Yasuhiro Asai". National Gallery of Australia Research Library & Archives. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
* ↑ "Passion : Yasuhiro Asai = 情熱 : 浅井康宏 浅井, 康宏; Studio Zipangu". UCLA Library. Retrieved 2024-01-22.