MURASE Jihei III

Jihei Murase is a third-generation master of woodcraft and urushi lacquer whose work bridges centuries of Japanese tradition with a distinctly modern, sculptural sensibility. Grandson of the first Jihei, a celebrated kijishi (woodturner) who collaborated with Kitaōji Rosanjin, Murase was immersed from an early age in the worlds of tea culture, craftsmanship, and material discipline. He studied sculpture at Tokyo Zōkei University, graduating in 1980, joined the family workshop the same year, and later training under Suzuki Sōkan of the Urasenke School of Tea.

Murase performs every stage of production himself, from selecting and seasoning wood to turning, carving, and lacquering each form. His mastery of Negoro-style lacquer, combined with innovative curving techniques and hand-forged tools, has expanded the expressive range of contemporary lacquerware. Influenced by Brancusi, Isamu Noguchi, and Hans Coper, his works balance rigorous function with quiet sculptural power.

Committed to responsible stewardship, Murase works with fine-grained woods such as zelkova, chestnut, cypress, cherry, and Yakusugi cedar. His vessels deepen in beauty through use, embodying his belief that objects should resonate emotionally and remain companions for a lifetime.

Murase’s work is held in major international collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.