The Renaissance of Urushi: Zokoku Tamakaji and the Kagawa Tradition Zokoku Tamakaji, a name synonymous with the revitalization of Japanese lacquerware in the late Edo period (1806-1869), wasn’t merely an artisan; he was a visionary who breathed new life into a fading art form. Born in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, his journey began not as a master craftsman but as an inquisitive observer, captivated by the beauty and complexity o…