Saratani Tomizo
Saratani Tomizo, born in 1949, began his journey in lacquer artistry during the 1960s, apprenticing under his father, renowned lacquer artist Saratani Katsuzo, and Suzuki Masaya. In 1971, he joined the prestigious Kyoto lacquer firm Zohiko. From 1975 to 1981, Saratani worked in Vienna, serving as a restorer and lecturer at the Austrian National Museum of Applied Arts, and participated in the Vienna World Craft Exhibition in 1981. During the 1980s and 1990s, he lived in London and Chicago, where he produced his own lacquer works and offered his expertise as a master restorer. In 2009, Saratani returned to Japan, establishing the lacquer company Kuri in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture. As a highly skilled practitioner of traditional Japanese lacquer techniques, his work continues to reflect a deep mastery of the craft. Saratani’s creations are highly sought after, and he is regarded as one of the few remaining artisans capable of producing such exceptional works using time-honored methods. His pieces command significant value in the art world today.
