Greetings
from Gallery Hanakagesho

We are proud to present a solo exhibition by Kenji MORI, his first individual show in four years. Kenji will exhibit netsuke carved mainly from coral, his favorite medium. With this fascinating glossy pink material, and with Kenji's warm and humorous style, we hope the works bring a smile to all who view them.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we also ask those who would like to visit the gallery in person to make a reservation. We apologize for this inconvenience but we hope for your understanding.

The new works and a video on the making of the coral works can be seen on our special online site. Along with the artist, we hope many will enjoy the exhibition.

Tatsushi HASHIMOTO
Gallery Hanakagesho,

Tengu no Beku-hai/Kenji MORI

Greetings from the artist

The first thing I imagine when I hear the word桃源郷 (tōgenkyō), which means paradise on earth, is riding a donkey with a small child up to a mountain retreat on beautiful fine day to eat and drink. To give form to this imaginary world, in miniature, I carve netsuke and for me the character 桃 (tō) in 桃源郷 also brings to mind coral. For this exhibition, I exhibit works created from jewelry corals, my favorite medium for netsuke.

I began crafting sculpture when I joined Nara Ittōbori Kōbō (Nara Woodcarving Workshop) after graduating from Nara College of Art. I spent five years at Nara Ittōbori Kōbō but in the fifth year my father visited and said to the teacher, “I came to greet you because you are taking care of my son.” The teacher and my father talked, and then my father went home. The teacher then said to me, “Instead of Nara Ittōbori, you are better suited to carving what you want. Please return home.” With trepidation I said, “But I want to become Morikawa Toen II!” The teacher retorted, “That’s impossible!” Even I didn’t think it was possible, but I also knew I was not completely satisfied with Nara Ittōbori. The teacher then said, “Your father did not say it directly but I believe he wants you to return home to continue the family business, so go home.” So I went home.

Now, twenty years later as I am carving the netsuke I love and also processing the coral in the family business, I feel truly lucky. To my teacher, thank you! I still need to do my best, but… “I like netsuke and coral!” and this is an exhibition filled with my affection for them! Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Kenji MORI