Osamu Matsuzaki

Born in 1979, Osamu Matsuzaki studied under his father, lacquerware artisan Tōru Matsuzaki, and continues to produce works in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture. While lacquerware is typically made through a division of labor—between woodworkers and lacquer painters—he handles every step of the process himself. Using a technique called kurimono, he carves forms directly from solid wood using chisels and planes, then applies multiple layers of lacquer by hand.