SHONO Tokuzo
(b. 1942)
A sculpture graduate from Musashino Art University, Shono Tokuzo
apprenticed to his father, Shono Shounsai, the first Living National
Treasure in bamboo arts. After his father's death, he was commissioned by
the office of the prime minister to make a special white bamboo flower vase
to be displayed at the state guesthouse in Tokyo where visiting dignitaries
reside.
Shono won the grand prize at the Japan New Craft Arts Exhibition in 1984
and 1998, which led to his full membership in the organization. In 1999, he
received a Tokusen grand prize at Nitten, thus taking an important step
towards full Nitten membership.
His work is part of collections at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, the
Oita Prefecture and Oita City museums. One of his pieces is included in
Japan's Imperial Household collection.
"As I compose the work I carry an image of transparency, like a work of
clear glass," he says. "The purity of the bamboo is what I am looking for,
to express the beauty of openness in the work. I want to create something
that is original and filled with energy."
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