Koichi Kosaka Exhibition: The Miracle of Negoro Lacquer

AREA is pleased to announce the exhibition “The Miracle of Negoro Lacquer – The Art of Negoro Nuri,” featuring the works of the late Koichi Kosaka.

Negoro-nuri is a traditional Japanese lacquerware technique known for its layers of vermilion lacquer over black lacquer. Once flourishing in the medieval period and later lost for centuries, this remarkable craft was revived in the modern era through Negoro-ji Temple in Wakayama.

The deep vermilion of Negoro lacquer has long been associated with vitality, protection, and renewal. As the red surface reveals the black lacquer beneath, each work carries a quiet sense of time, transformation, and enduring beauty.

This exhibition presents a carefully selected collection of one-of-a-kind works by Koichi Kosaka. His pieces bring together refined technique, sensitivity to material, and a deep respect for the beauty found in everyday objects.

We invite you to experience this rare opportunity to encounter the world of Negoro lacquer and the legacy of Koichi Kosaka.

Exhibition Information

AREA New York
172 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016

On View Through:
July 31

Koichi Kosaka

1949–2021

Koichi Kosaka was born in 1949 in Kiso-Hirasawa, Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s historic centers of lacquerware production. He devoted his life to the art of lacquer, creating Negoro lacquerware in a traditional style while exploring its place in everyday life. His work reflects refined technique, respect for ordinary objects, and the quiet beauty found in the contrast between vermilion and black. Kosaka received numerous honors throughout his career, including recognition from the Governor of Nagano Prefecture as an outstanding artisan.