At the heart of Hariya’s work is a painterly approach to maki-e, one that allows lines to move freely and images to rise gently from the lacquer surface formed through urushi lacquer and gold powder. Her saibyo-maki-e technique builds depth through layers of fine strokes, creating shadows, light, and subtle gradation more often associated with drawing or painting than with traditional decorative motifs.

This sensibility grew from her early familiarity with oil painting and her admiration for Western decorative arts. The softness and flowing contours found in Art Nouveau remain part of her visual vocabulary, blending naturally with the quiet refinement of Japanese lacquer. As a result, her imagery carries both delicacy and warmth—living forms rendered with tenderness and a painter’s eye.

A sense of playfulness that naturally lifts the spirit runs through Hariya’s work. She speaks of weaving small, intentional elements into her pieces, an approach that lies at the core of her artistic world. What she values in her creative practice is the sense of surprise that emerges through such details, an idea closely tied to her roots in tea utensils.

For Hariya, vivid contrasts themselves become these carefully considered elements. She takes pleasure in imagining moments of discovery, and believes that offering such experiences is part of the joy of making.

Within her work, tenderness and strength coexist, revealing different expressions as one’s perspective shifts. This interplay of opposing qualities is central to her artistry. Through careful linework and a painter’s sensitivity, she gives each surface more than a single story.