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 of imported lacquer pieces from China and Southeast Asia. These foreign works, housed within the collections of prominent temples like Higashi-Honganji and Daito…