Life Breathed into Chinkin
Born and raised in Hachioji (western Tokyo), Ms. Kasuga developed a deep connection with nature and animals during her childhood through playing in vacant lots and living with her beloved dog. “From elementary through middle school, I dreamed of becoming a zookeeper,” she recalls. This early affinity for living creatures strongly influences her current artistic work.
The frequent appearance of animals and plants in her work isn’t so much a conscious choice as it is a natural progression. When she follows the images that arise in her mind, they invariably lead to the forms of living creatures.
Her work “Onore” (己 – The Self) demonstrates creative innovation by incorporating the flow of time into the artwork itself. The silver powder inlaid in the horned owl’s feathers will naturally change its hue over the years. “Chinkin pieces, as works of lacquer art, continue to live and evolve for decades, even centuries,” Ms. Kasuga explains, highlighting the living nature of this traditional craft.
“These pieces seem too different to be by the same artist.” This frequent comment from viewers comparing two distinct works – “Onore” (The Self) and her chinkin recreation of “Ichiyo’s Grave,” a famous painting by renowned Japanese artist Kaburaki Kiyokata – powerfully illustrates Ms. Kasuga’s rich range of artistic expression.
“When I create my pieces, I wish for those who see them to truly live, and to feel what it means to be alive,” says Ms. Kasuga. This aspiration has been at the core of her artistic creation since her time as a student at the Wajima Lacquerware Training Institute, or perhaps even earlier, during her university preparation days. Through her works, one can sense her desire to convey the raw feeling of being alive and to encourage viewers in their life journeys.
This dedication to her message is deeply rooted in her personal experience. At one point, she became so immersed in her creative work that she pushed herself too hard, leading doctors to order her to stop. This resulted in a seven-year hiatus from her artistic practice. Perhaps it was this stoic approach to creation, one that nearly consumed her entire being, that cultivated her acute sensitivity toward the essence of life.
However, Ms. Kasuga now speaks of having found her own rhythm in creating art. A gentle smile crosses her face as she says, “I’ve learned to work at my own pace.”
