A tree that has been growing for longer than a human life,
With the techniques of Inami carving that have been used since the Edo period Once, history begins to again.
The tree is transformed into a works of art,
Remember in the memory of someone who appreciate it.
We creating wood sculptures works what can accumulating the feelings of that day and time.
望春/望春
望春
前川 正治
第59回現代工芸展（2021）
材料／欅・漆
望春
Masaji Maekawa
The 59th Contemporary Craft Exhibition (2021)
Material: Zelkova, lacquer
This is a three-dimensional sculpture of the Rimpa School’s Wind God and Thunder God, and is a large work, 3m high.
The statue is made of Japanese cypress and painted with pigments and gold leaf. The statues are enshrined on either side of the Sui Shinmon gate at Naruko Tenjinsha Shrine in Tokyo.
Member of Nitten
Councilor, Contemporary KOGEI Artists Association
Standing advisor to the Toyama Prefecture Crafts Artists Association
Standing advisor to the Inami Sculpture Cooperative
Chairman of Contemporary KOGEI Toyama Association
I work on a wide range of woodcarvings, from temple and shrine sculptures, to home railings, lion heads, figurines, and panels. At the same time, I also participate in exhibitions, such as the Contemporary Craft Exhibition and the Nitten, where I work hard to polish my own expression.
1946
井波町に生まれる
1969
加茂藩山に師事(三代)
1989
富山県展大賞
1998
富山県展大賞
2001
４０回現代工芸展審査員
2001
第３３回日展特選
2003
第３５回日展特選
2005
第６０回富山県展会員賞
2009
第６４回富山県展会員賞
2009
日展審査員
2012
「美術工芸の明日を担う20人展」
2013
日展審査員
2017
MOA 美術館第20回岡田茂吉賞展招待出品
1946
Born in Inami.
1969
Studied under Kamo Banzan (3rd gen).
1989
Grand Prize, Toyama Prefectural Exhibition.
1998
Grand Prize, Toyama Prefectural Exhibition.
2001
Juror, 40th Contemporary Craft Exhibition.
2001
Specialty, The 33rd Japan Exhibition.
2003
Specialty, The 35rd Japan Exhibition.
2005
Member Award, The 60th Toyama Prefectural Exhibition.
2009
Member Award, The 64th Toyama Prefectural Exhibition.
2009
Juror, Nitten.
2012
Twenty artists shaping the future of Japanese kougei : creating beyond tradition.
2013
Juror, Nitten.
2017
Invited at the 20th Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition at MOA Museum of Art.
Born in 1977 in Nanto City (formerly Inami Town), Toyama Pref., Japan.
Graduating from the Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts and faculty of Art in sculpture.Then moved to Berlin, Germany to work as an assistant to the artist Hanayo.
Since 2005, has been studying under Masaji Maekawa. He has a deep knowledge of history and creates works that remind us with the times and space.
1977
井波町に生まれる
2000
愛知県立芸術大学美術学部彫刻専攻卒業
2005
前川正治に師事
1977
Born in Inami.
2000
Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts and faculty of Art in sculpture.
Inami carving started about 250 years ago when Sanshiro Maekawa, an official carver dispatched from the head temple in Kyoto to rebuild the burned down Inami Betsuin Zuisenji Temple, taught carving techniques to local carpenters.
Although Inami carving started out as decorative carvings for temples and shrines, it was later developed into products for the general public, such as Ranma carvings for houses and ornamental carvings, and was designated as a traditional craft by the government in 1975 for its exquisite techniques.
Its exquisite techniques, Many of the carvings are based on themes such as flowers, birds, wind, moon, lucky charms, and people, and are deeply carved with openwork from both sides.
