Untitled (Hung in a Box) #1 is part of a series in which Genta Ishizuka combines traditional urushi lacquer techniques with authentic Japanese masu (wooden measuring boxes) dating to the Edo and Meiji periods. Sourced by the artist from antique shops, these historic vessels retain the patina and character of everyday use while serving as sculptural settings for Ishizuka’s luminous gold leaf lacquer forms.
The series was inspired by Ishizuka’s study of kakebotoke, Buddhist votive plaques, and the historical practice of placing a sculpture of Ebisu (the Japanese deity associated with prosperity and good fortune) inside a masu as an object of prayer. The use of gold leaf finish on the lacquer artwork also recalls the finishes historically applied to kanshitsu (dry lacquer) Buddhist sculpture. By adapting these traditions, Ishizuka explores the relationship between ritual, memory, and material culture while drawing on the long history of Japanese lacquer.
