Chrysanthemum Candy Box

The Aizu Lacquer Candy Box by Komatsu Shigeo embodies the refined grace and auspicious symbolism of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Its gently rounded form is adorned with motifs of chrysanthemums, higaki latticework, and hamaya (evil-dispelling arrows), often associated with good fortune. The chrysanthemum signifies longevity and nobility, while the hamaya invites good luck and wards off misfortune; together, the pairing of flower and arrow conveys a wish for enduring happiness and prosperity.

This candy box is crafted using the time-honored Aizu-e technique of lacquer painting. The process begins with transferring the design onto the surface using a kataoshi (pressing) method, followed by outlining the patterns in bengara urushi (a mixture of iron oxide and natural lacquer). Layers of vermilion and yellow depict the chrysanthemums first, then hamaya motifs are added, and finally green leaves bring the composition into balance. The work is completed with keshikin (a matte gold finish) that tempers luster for an understated yet radiant effect. When viewed from above, the lid reveals chrysanthemums and buds arranged in a symmetrical composition, their disciplined beauty expressing quiet refinement.

Komatsu places great importance on what he calls the “flow of composition,” a harmony between design and form. Each flower and motif is positioned with deliberate balance, following the elegant and colorful sensibility of traditional Aizu-e painting. In rendering the designs, he selects his brushes according to purpose, drawing the delicate lines of petals and the soft curves of leaves with careful precision. Every stage of production is performed entirely by hand, and the subtle fluctuations of the brush lend the piece a quiet warmth and human presence.

Komatsu Shigeo

Through the timeless medium of gold and lacquer, Komatsu Shigeo transforms stillness into radiance. He continues Japan’s long tradition of urushi art and the intricate maki-e technique. His maki-e works speak not through extravagance but through calm precision. Every curve, every shimmer, feels measured yet alive, like a breath suspended between motion and rest. Komatsu’s artistry lies in his ability to reveal depth through restraint, distilling centuries of Aizu craftsmanship into forms. The result is not mere ornamentation, but a meditation on the enduring dialogue between hand, material, and time.

Lacado Aizu

La laca de Aizu es una artesanía tradicional originaria de la región de Aizu, en el oeste de Fukushima. Ubicada en una cuenca rodeada de cordilleras, el clima húmedo de la región proporciona las condiciones ideales para trabajar la laca. La laca de Aizu es conocida por sus motivos auspiciosos y sus refinadas técnicas decorativas, que incluyen Aizu-e, con vibrantes patrones florales japoneses y maki-e, que utiliza polvo de oro para crear diseños intrincados.

Firmemente arraigada en más de 400 años de tradición, la laca de Aizu continúa evolucionando adoptando técnicas modernas y compartiendo su belleza atemporal con el mundo de hoy.