The artist uses cracked eggshell very effectively in this playful design. Working within the restraints of the traditional lacquer craft, Nakano Koichi creates modern designs characterized by a bold use of color.

The artist, who lives in Ishikawa Prefecture, began his apprenticeship in 1969 with Oba Shogyo (b. 1916), a Living National Treasure lacquer artist, and was awarded a prize when he exhibited in the 1971 Traditional Japanese Art Crafts exhibition (Nihon dento kogei ten). He continues to win awards, and now serves as a judge for several prestigious traditional crafts exhibitions. For another work by this artist see lot 236.