Tamakaji Zōkoku (1806–1869) was a lacquer artist who was active in Takamatsu during the late Edo period and played a pivotal role in the development of Sanuki lacquer art. Whilst working on commissions for the Takamatsu Domain, he turned his attention to various lacquer art styles from both Japan and abroad, incorporating them into his work in a way that harmonised with the local culture of Sanuki and his own artistic sensibilities. He excelled in techniques that made the most of carving and coloured lacquer, and is recognised as the figure who laid the foundations for the subsequent development of techniques representative of Kagawa, such as ‘konjō’, ‘zonsei’ and ‘chōshitsu’.

Shōkoku’s works display meticulous attention to detail, yet possess a sense of expansiveness that transcends mere technical skill. There is a depth to the carved patterns and the layering of lacquer colours, and their appearance changes subtly depending on the viewing angle and the light. It seems to me that Zōkoku’s appeal lies not in merely preserving existing techniques, but in digesting them in his own way and transforming them into a new form of Sanuki lacquer art. I believe he was a figure of great importance as the starting point for the lacquer art of Kagawa that has continued into later generations.