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.

Hé la laque

La laque d'Aizu est un artisanat traditionnel originaire de la région d'Aizu, à l'ouest de Fukushima. Nichée dans un bassin entouré de chaînes de montagnes, le climat humide de la région offre des conditions idéales pour le travail de la laque. La laque d'Aizu est réputée pour ses motifs propices et ses techniques décoratives raffinées, notamment Aizu-e, avec des motifs floraux japonais vibrants, et maki-e, qui utilise de la poudre d'or pour créer des motifs complexes.

Fermement enracinée dans plus de 400 ans de tradition, la laque d'Aizu continue d'évoluer en adoptant des techniques modernes, partageant sa beauté intemporelle avec le monde d'aujourd'hui.