Tasuku Murose was born in Tokyo in 1985 into a family deeply involved in the traditional Japanese lacquer art known as “urushi.” Derived from tree sap, urushi has been an essential element of Japanese arts and crafts for thousands of years.
After pursuing a broad education in information and design at Keio University, Murose earned a doctorate in Studies of Cultural Properties at Tsurumi University, focusing on the technical and historical aspects of urushi.
Following his experience in both creation and cultural property restoration at his father’s studio, Murose established his own atelier in Ibaraki in 2023, a region known for urushi production. Here, he not only creates works inspired by nature and themed around its “flow,” but also engages in the cultivation of urushi trees, collaborating closely with local producers.
Murose is also passionate about sharing his knowledge and techniques with a global audience through lectures at universities and companies and workshops conducted abroad. As an urushi artist, educator, and researcher, he continues to explore new possibilities for urushi as a material, constantly learning from the past while envisioning its future.
Artist’s Statement:
My work centers on the idea of “flow.” Water flows, clouds drift, time passes, and blood circulates. Every element that makes up this world has an inherent flow. When these flows harmonize with our senses, we feel deeply moved. My goal is to capture these moments of emotion and transform them into tangible forms.
I use “urushi,” a traditional Japanese lacquer from tree sap, as my main material. Urushi, with its deep luster and unique texture, has been a cornerstone of Japanese arts and crafts for thousands of years. I also use “maki-e,” a technique where gold and other precious metal powders are sprinkled on urushi to create patterns that play with light and shadow.
I find inspiration in nature’s constant changes. I hope my work offers viewers a chance to reconnect with nature and gain new insights into life’s movement. My art seeks to resonate with both heart and body, evoking a timeless appreciation for the beauty of flow through urushi and maki-e.
経歴 / Profile
室瀬 祐
1985年、漆芸家・室瀬和美の次男として生まれる。慶應義塾大学環境情報学部卒業、鶴見大学大学院文学研究科文化財学専攻にて文化財学博士号取得。漆芸品の制作・修理と並行し、国内外における文化財の材料・技法研究および教育活動を行う。2023年6月、国内有数の漆産地である茨城県奥久慈地方に移住し「工房 山のは」を開設。
Bio:
Tasuku Murose was born in Tokyo in 1985 into a family deeply involved in the traditional Japanese lacquer art known as “urushi.” Derived from tree sap, urushi has been an essential element of Japanese arts and crafts for thousands of years.
After pursuing a broad education in information and design at Keio University, Murose earned a doctorate in Studies of Cultural Properties at Tsurumi University, focusing on the technical and historical aspects of urushi.
Following his experience in both creation and cultural property restoration at his father’s studio, Murose established his own atelier in Ibaraki in 2023, a region known for urushi production. Here, he not only creates works inspired by nature and themed around its “flow,” but also engages in the cultivation of urushi trees, collaborating closely with local producers.
Murose is also passionate about sharing his knowledge and techniques with a global audience through lectures at universities and companies and workshops conducted abroad. As an urushi artist, educator, and researcher, he continues to explore new possibilities for urushi as a material, constantly learning from the past while envisioning its future.
Artist’s Statement:
My work centers on the idea of “flow.” Water flows, clouds drift, time passes, and blood circulates. Every element that makes up this world has an inherent flow. When these flows harmonize with our senses, we feel deeply moved. My goal is to capture these moments of emotion and transform them into tangible forms.
I use “urushi,” a traditional Japanese lacquer from tree sap, as my main material. Urushi, with its deep luster and unique texture, has been a cornerstone of Japanese arts and crafts for thousands of years. I also use “maki-e,” a technique where gold and other precious metal powders are sprinkled on urushi to create patterns that play with light and shadow.
I find inspiration in nature’s constant changes. I hope my work offers viewers a chance to reconnect with nature and gain new insights into life’s movement. My art seeks to resonate with both heart and body, evoking a timeless appreciation for the beauty of flow through urushi and maki-e.
(Photography by Satoshi Okui)