佐故龍平 Ryuhei Sako

Ryuhei Sako (b.1976) was born in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. In 2002, he obtained a master's degree in design and applied arts from Hiroshima City University's Art College. He is known for his contemporary works using the traditional Japanese metalworking technique called "Mokume-gane," which has a history spanning several centuries. As a member of the Japan Craft Association, his works are renowned for their meticulous research and experimental nature.

Throughout his career, Ryuhei Sako has received numerous awards and recognition. In 2008, he received the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award at the Traditional Craft Japan Metal Craft Exhibition. In 2011, he was honoured with the Special Commemorative Award at the same exhibition. The following year, he received the Okayama Prefecture Governor's Award at the Traditional Craft China Regional Exhibition and the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the Traditional Craft Japan Metal Craft Exhibition.

In 2013, Ryuhei Sako was awarded the Energy Prize by the Energy Culture Sports Foundation. His dedication to art and skillful use of metalworking techniques continue to captivate, leading him to receive the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Traditional Craft Japan Metal Craft Exhibition in 2016.

His outstanding achievements culminated in the Grand Prize at the 32nd Sato Foundation Tanto Award in 2016. His works are widely collected in various countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

1999 BFA Design and Applied Arts, Hiroshima City University

2002 MFA Design and Applied Arts, Hiroshima City University

2004 Official Member of the Japan Kōgei Association

Solo Exhibitions:

2024

Thousand Faces: Sakewares Exhibition III,TOUCH Ceramics HK

2020

Seikado Gallery | Kyoto, Japan ('06, '09, '17)

2019

Tenmaya Department Store, Hatchobori | Hiroshima, Japan

Kobo Ikuko |Okayama ('07, '10, '15)

2018

Akasaka Yū Gallery | Tokyo, Japan

Tenmaya Department Store, Okayama Main Store | Okayama, Japan ('08, '13)

2016

Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihombashi Main Store | Tokyo, Japan ('14)

Uncle Iwane Gallery | Okayama, Japan

2015

Tenmaya Department Store, Fukuyama | Hiroshima, Japan ('09, '12)

2013

Art Salon ESPACE | Kyoto,Japan

Karuizawa New Art Museum Gallery | Nagano,Japan

2012

Gallery Yabuki | Okayama, Japan ('06, '09)

Maruei Department Store | Nagoya, Japan

2011

Tenmaya Department Store, Kurashiki | Okayama,Japan

Selected Group Exhibitions

Group Exhibitions:

2024

Thousand Faces: Sakewares Exhibition III,TOUCH Ceramics HK

2021

"Japan: A Hitory of Style" | Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA

"Art Fair Tokyo" | Tokyo International Forum, Japan

2020

"Kōgei2020 -The Art of Crafting Beauty from Nature" ｜ Tokyo National Museum, Japan

"ULTRA ART"｜GALLERY KOGURE, Japan

"Japanese Wonder" ｜ Erskine Hall & Coe, UK

"COLLECT" | Somerset House, UK

"Asia Week New York"｜Onishi Gallery, USA　('17, '18, '19, '20)

"Exploring Japanese Metalwork though Ise’s lens" | Takaoka Art Museum, Japan

"Shining Metal Art"｜Sekito Museum, Japan

2019

"MASTERPIECE　LONDON" | The Royal Hospital Chelsea, UK ('16, '18)

"LOEWE CRAFT PRIZE-Finalist from East-" | ESH Gallery, Italy

"Tradition of Excellence" | USA・Penland Gallery, USA

"COLLECT" | Saatchi Gallery, UK ('13, '14, '15, '17, '18)

"The 66th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition" | Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, Japnan

"Development of Contemporary Japanese Arts & Crafts" | Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, Japan

2018

"LOEWE CRAFT PRIZE 2018" | The Design Museum, UK

"MEISTER DER MODERNE"｜Handwerksmesse München, Germany

2017

"TRESOR" | Messe Basel, Switzerland

"PAD LONDON" | Berkeley Square, UK ('15, '16)

"Art New York" | Pia94、USA

2016

"100 years of Arts and Crafts SEIKADO" | Chioushantang, Taiwan

"Utsuwa from Chugoku region" | The Museum of Arts & Crafts ITAMI, Japan

2014

"Active graduates creates the future" | Hiroshima City University, Japan

2013

"Beauty of Japan -Woodwork, Metalwork and Japanese lackquer-"｜HISHIO- Centre for Cultural Exchange, Japan

2011

"I-shi Prize Winners' Exhibition" | Okayama Prifectural Museum of Art, Japan

2010

"Invited International Exhibition of KCDA" | Gallery AING, South Korea

Awards

2018

Sanyo Newspaper Award | Japan Traditional Crafts Chugoku Regional Exhibition

2016

Grand Award | The 32nd Tansuio Awards of the Sato Foundation

Asahi Newspaper Award | Traditional Crafts Japan Metalwork Exhibition

2013

Energia Award | Energia Culture and Sports Foundation

2012

Okayama prefectural Govenrner Award | Traditional Crafts Chugoku Regianal Exhibition

Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award | Traditional Crafts Japan Metalwork Exhibition

2011

Special Memorial Award | Traditional Crafts Japan Metalwork Exhibition

2009

Encouragement Award | I-shi Awards

2008

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Award | Traditional Crafts Japan Metalwork Exhibition

2007

Hiroshima Prefectural Governer Award | Traditional Crafts Chugoku Regional Exhibition

2005

Encouragement Award | FUKUTAKE Education and Culture Foundation

2003

Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Award | The 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

2001

The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Award | Japan Gold and Silver Creative Exhibition

Public Collections

Victoria and Albert Museum | UK
Ashmolean Museum | UK
Metropolitan Museum of Art | USA
Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art | Japan
Hiroshima City University | Japan
Machiko Hasegawa Art Museum | Japan
Ise Foundation | Japan