LONDON.- From 12 May to 4 July 2025, Eskenazi hosts two summer exhibitions: one presenting the first UK solo show of revered bamboo artist Fujitsuka Shosei (b. 1949), designated a ‘Living National Treasure’ in bamboo craft by the Japanese government; and the other dedicated to the celebrated artist Ikeda Iwao (b. 1940), and his innovative works made of bamboo and lacquer.

This is the latest in a series of summer exhibitions at Eskenazi which aims to engage new audiences and to present diverse and often lesser-known subjects related to East Asian art. Each exhibition catalogue features an essay by Moroyama Masanori, former Chief Curator at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

Bamboo masterpieces by Fujitsuka Shosei

Eskenazi will present the first UK exhibition dedicated to the revered Japanese artist Fujitsuka Shosei (b. 1949), who is renowned for his bamboo creations and was officially designated a ‘Living National Treasure’ in bamboo craft by the Japanese government in 2023. Representing almost half a century of groundbreaking work, the exhibition includes 10 baskets and sculptures created from 1979 to 2022, demonstrating the prodigious skills that have seen the artist turn the humble material of bamboo into an art form.


Fujitsuka Shosei, Enso flower basket, 2006. Signed: Made by Shosei. Susutake bamboo, rattan and lacquer. Height: 35.0cm. Width: 56.0cm. Depth: 23.0cm.

Artists designated as ‘Living National Treasures’ are considered living embodiments of Japan's cultural identity; numbering no more than 116 at any time, they work to preserve the techniques and artistry of Japan’s finest traditional crafts, while also creating suitable new contemporary traditions. Mr. Fujitsuka’s rise as a leading contemporary bamboo artist was achieved through his mastery of openwork twill plaiting (sukashi ajiro ami) as well as his unique colour-transformation techniques (sai-henka), which he pioneered in 2003, and which result in objects which appear to change colour depending on the viewing angle; this is evidenced in four of the objects on display. The artist’s work is found in museums throughout Japan, as well as international institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Philadelphia Museum of Art; and the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA.


Fujitsuka Shosei, Ushio 19 (Tide 19), 2019. Signed: Made by Shosei. Madake bamboo, rattan and lacquer. Height: 28.0cm. Width: 35.0cm. Depth: 33.0cm.

Lacquer and bamboo masterworks by Ikeda Iwao


Ikeda Iwao, Untitled, 2008. Bamboo and lacquer. Height: 56.0cm. Width: 85.0cm. Depth: 85.0cm.

Eskenazi will present the first solo UK exhibition of the celebrated and innovative Japanese artist Ikeda Iwao (b. 1940), whose work has previously been shown at notable exhibitions around the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The exhibition at Eskenazi brings to fruition a plan initially discussed in Tokyo over 30 years ago when the artist met Giuseppe Eskenazi, and they first discussed their shared love of art and antiques.


Ikeda Iwao, Ishiki no Kairi 1 (Estrangement of Awareness 1), 2018. Bamboo, lacquer and gold. Height: 51.0cm.

Presenting 16 works, 7 of which were created specifically for the exhibition, they reflect the artist’s distinguished and creative approach to tradition. Born to a father who was a master of bamboo, Mr. Ikeda started training when he was 10 years old, and between 1960 and 1984 he studied lacquer under Akaji Yusai (1906-1984), a ‘Living National Treasure’ in lacquer work. While drawing on his traditional training, Mr. Ikeda has shifted towards original, conceptual work; by splitting or shearing and lacquering a bamboo section, he is able to explore, reveal and emphasise its inner spirit.


Ikeda Iwao, Shikō no Danpen (Fragment of Thought), 2025. Bamboo, lacquer, gold and washi paper. Signed: Ikeda Iwao, with artist’s seal. Dimensions: 67.0cm x 49.5cm x 6.6cm.

Eskenazi’s traditional annual autumn exhibition will open in October 2025 and will coincide with Frieze London (15 to 19 October) and the 28th edition of Asian Art in London (27 October to 6 November), the annual event that unites London’s Asian art dealers, major auction houses and societies in a series of selling exhibitions, auctions, receptions, and seminars. Visit www.asianartinlondon.com for more information.