Why does a single wooden tray require an entire year to complete?
In short: This film explores the meticulous craft of Japanese artist Onishi Isao. Witness the patience required to transform raw wood into high-shine lacquerware, revealing how traditional techniques imbue simple forms with profound vitality.
Onishi Isao specializes in creating wooden lacquer trays, bowls, and plates. His process is defined by extreme precision and patience, with each individual piece requiring one full year to finish. The artist begins by shaping raw wood, followed by the application of hundreds of layers of lacquer, each as thin as paper. The final stage involves polishing the surface until it achieves a high-gloss finish.
The resulting objects are noted for their deceptive simplicity, possessing a vitality that transcends their minimalist appearance. This work is part of a series produced with support from JTI, highlighting the dedication of contemporary Japanese craftspeople.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Making beauty: Onishi Isao
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