Six Calabashes: The symbol of praying 

Plate

Size L295 x W190 x H18（mm） 

Year 2019 

Material Japanese horse chestnut tree for basic object, lacquer, silver, alloy and golden powder, brass powder, dried lacquer powder 

Technique applied description 

The plate of calabash shape decorated with ‘togidashi’ lacquer with five-calabash pattern. The calabash is rendered by sprinkling many Hue of gold and silver, coating with ‘syuai urishi’ (brown lacquer). Considering about the main part and secondary, the external part is used lacquer mixed with powders of green and yellow mineral and charcoal. The rope is rendered in ‘takamakie’, depicted the detail by a mixture of lacquer and ‘shakudo’ metallic powder that results in a gentle bright and rough texture.

Design motif

 If you observe it carefully, you can count for six calabashes pattern in this work. The word of calabash in Japanese is ‘六瓢（むびょう）’, which is the same homophonic pronunciation as ‘無病（Mubyou）’ means praying for healthy and going well in everything. In Taiwan, we have the same trick of words playing and meaning as Japan. In consequence, my idea is to discover the common part between Japan and Taiwan, making the connection by combining Japanese traditional techniques and two-country-cultures. 

Award

Taiwan Craft Competition: The Dream Of Craft | Judges' Award