Tsukiho Kizaki (城﨑 月甫)

Tsukiho Josaki

Self-Introduction

I create urushi (Japanese lacquer) bowls, mainly using broadleaf hardwoods such as Keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) and Kuri (Japanese Chestnut).

While the traditional process of making urushi ware often involves a division of labor—one artisan shaping the wood, another applying the lacquer—I handle everything myself, from woodturning to urushi finishing.

I mix jinoko (powder made from fired clay) into the urushi, creating a durable finish that resists peeling. These bowls can be used comfortably in daily life.

Japan's monsoon climate nurtures an abundance of trees. I feel a deep sense of richness in being able to work with this abundant natural resource and create urushi ware with my own hands.

 

Biography

1984 Born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
2005 Graduated from the University of Foreign Languages, Yangon, Myanmar, majoring in Burmese.
Discovered Burmese lacquerware during studies.
Returned to Japan and enrolled in the Ishikawa Prefectural Training Institute of Wood Turning to learn how to make urushi ware.
2010 Graduated from Ishikawa Prefectural Training Institute of Wood Turning.
Opened a workshop in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
2014 Relocated workshop to Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.
2021 Relocated workshop to Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture.

Introduction from the Shop Owner

I first met Kizaki-san in January 2025. I visited his home and workshop in Kazo City after being introduced by Takasu-san.

I had already heard of Kizaki-san, and I’ve known his partner, the potter Mie Maeda-san, for many years. In fact, I often use her cups and plates at home.

When I was preparing to open my shop, I was looking for someone who makes urushi soup bowls. While talking with Takasu-san, Kizaki-san’s name came up. He kindly gave me the contact information, and I called right away.

Kizaki-san picked up the phone with a very warm and friendly tone, and told me I was welcome to visit anytime even though it was during the New Year holidays.

At home, almost all the dishes we use daily are made of wood. But I had never found a soup bowl I truly liked, so we had been using a cheap one from a 100-yen shop. Honestly, I wasn’t looking for a product to sell—I just wanted to find the right bowl for my own home. So, at the beginning of the new year, I visited Kizaki-san with quiet hope in my heart.

When I arrived, both he and Maeda-san welcomed me warmly. Kizaki-san was just as friendly in person as he had been on the phone, and we quickly felt at ease. Somehow, we ended up talking about fishing, too (laughs).

We had a great conversation while looking at many pieces of urushi ware and tools. I learned a lot. His workshop is fully dedicated to urushi work, and both the lathe and tools are completely different from Western ones. He even showed me how he carves a bowl, right there on the spot.

After that, I also had the chance to tour Maeda-san’s pottery studio.

And then—among the urushi bowls he had in stock, I found exactly what I’d been looking for: the perfect soup bowl for my family.

The bowl we brought home is calm yet dignified. From the very first use, it felt just right in the hand, as if it had always been there with us.

Kizaki-san handles every step of the process himself, from woodturning to urushi lacquering. His bowls are made using a method called makiji, and I truly hope you’ll try one for yourself.


Kizaki's products are here