An exquisite set of lacquered bowls by Inami Tadashi of the Wajima lacquer tradition enclosed in the original compartmentalized signed wooden box. Inside and outside the lids, the mirror black polished surface is decorated in the maki-e tradition using genuine gold and silver powders with various seasonal flowers.
Tadashi Inami (real name: Tadashi Inami) was born in March 1923 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. His family has been known for generations as Kiritsusai, a lineage of lacquer artists, with the founder being renowned for his significant contributions to the development of Wajima lacquerware.
At the age of 19, Tadashi entered the Ministry of Education's Craft Technology Training Institute affiliated with the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, where he deeply studied ancient Chinese and Korean ceramics. He learned pottery from Hajime Kato, who developed his unique style with colored porcelain and Kinrande. He studied lacquer art under Kakujiro Yamazaki, known for his colorful lacquer and innovative designs, and further honed his pottery skills with Kenkichi Tomimoto, who, like Hajime Kato, emphasized both artistic originality and mass production. These experiences deeply influenced Tadashi's direction and creativity as a craftsman.
After graduating from the institute in 1944, Tadashi began studying Kaga maki-e from his father. In 1946 (Showa 21), he achieved his first acceptance at the 2nd Japan Art Exhibition with his piece "Summer Vine Grass Handbox," and continued to receive various awards. In 1953, he became the director of the Wajima Lacquerware Research Institute in Wajima City. His work has been exhibited in various countries, including the United States, Hawaii, Rome, Canada, Spain, and Belgium, as part of the Japan Contemporary Craft Art Exhibition.
In 1975, he traveled to Europe as the Deputy Chief of the Ishikawa Art and Culture Mission, and in 1995, he was appointed as a director of the Japan Art Exhibition. In his mid-80s, he presented the flower vase "Yoyō" at the Hokuriku Craft and Modern Glass Craft Exhibition during the Rome Prize Festival.
Sadly, Tadashi passed away in 2011 at the age of 87.
