Nakajima Yasushi (1938–2017) was born in Hyogo Prefecture and graduated from the Kyoto Municipal University of Art in 1962. While still a student, his work was accepted into the Mainichi Kōgyō Design Exhibition, signaling an early recognition of his talent. He began his professional career as a designer at Hino Automotive, where he worked on the company’s flagship model, the Contessa. Seeking greater creative freedom, he later moved to Nisshin Denki, where he led the lighting design department.
In 1974, Nakajima left corporate life to work independently, focusing on glass and ceramics while maintaining strong ties to the design world. Drawing on his background in lighting, he became known for innovative works that integrated glass, clay, metal, and electric light. Despite remaining unaffiliated—an uncommon and challenging position in Japan—he was repeatedly accepted into major national exhibitions, including the National Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and received awards at events such as the National Craft Exhibition and the National Modern Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition. A large-scale public work by him stands in a park in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture. His works are held in public collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Ringling Museum, among others.
