Born in 1947, in the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Mamoru Nakagawa is one of the most well respected kaga-inlay artists of his time and has been honored as a ‘Living National Treasure’ for his craft. In addition to studying traditional techniques, Nakagawa has experimented with various materials creating interesting colors and bringing great sensitivity to his original pieces.
Kaga inlay, named for the place of its origin, Kaga (modern day Kanazawa), is special among styles of inlay. This is in part because of the angled layering technique that allows the inlayed metal designs to stay securely and safely embedded in the base metal.
The inspiration for Nakagawa’s designs comes from the beauty of the natural landscapes he has observed. His extensive world travels serve as research for his artwork and those who view his pieces can see beautiful landscapes from around the world in every design. Mr. Nakagawa succeeds in bringing life to metal through his magnificent works or art.
In 2008, his masterpiece “Sekisei” became part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
