[Interview with Lacquer Artist Sachiko Yano, Part 2] Apply, wait, and let the paint build up

── At what moment do you feel most like yourself?

Is it the lines or the colors?

I think that's why people around me say that it's just like Yano .

Originally, I entered the world of lacquer art because I thought I could survive without being myself .

And yet, before I knew it, I had become a writer.

There is also the reality that there are fewer and fewer artisan jobs available.

As a result, I decided to pursue a career as a writer.

Now I feel the joy of being in that position every day.

── When do you decide that a piece is complete?

In maki-e—a traditional Japanese lacquer technique where gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer—there are, to some extent, established rules.
If you follow a certain process, the work reaches completion.

By contrast, the lacquer painting I practice is much harder to bring to a clear end.
Even now, I struggle with whether something is lacking, or whether I have gone too far.

Still, once I reach a stage called keuchi—a process in which extremely fine lines are drawn with lacquer and then dusted with gold powder—the work is finished.
Whether I am fully satisfied or not, that is where it ends.

From the initial preparation of the base layers to keuchi, the process can take nearly a year.
That is why keuchi always makes me nervous.

But when it goes well, the feeling is incredibly refreshing.

When it works well, it's very refreshing.

── Has your experience raising children influenced your creative work?

For about six years from the age of 30, I was unable to work at all due to childbirth and childcare.

Looking back now, I don't think that time was short at all.

When I spend time with my children, my gaze lowers.

Fallen nuts and wild grasses on the roadside

The kids find them and show them to me.

I feel that this kind of incoherent nature is what is thriving in my current designs.

Once I had finished raising my child, when I tried to draw,

I found myself writing only fragments like these.

I think the impression of the work has become a little warmer than before.

── What have you felt while balancing child-rearing and creative work?

During the time I was raising my children, I felt like I was being left behind by society.

I wonder if I can continue like this,

There were times when I felt anxious.

To be honest, there were times when I almost gave up.

At times like that, my husband's presence was a big help.

My husband is a woodworker and was constantly making his own things right in front of me.

I think it was because I saw that that the fire inside me never went out.

My husband was both a support and a rival at the same time.

The frustration and regret of not being able to make it was part of what motivated me.

── How do you feel about women continuing to create?

To be honest, I think it's very difficult.

I can't just say "it's okay" lightly.

If you want to get what you want,

It also involves the family,

To make them endure or wait,

It's a series of such things.

However, if there are people who are thinking of giving up because of their family or surroundings ,

I think I would say, "Never give up."

It may be irresponsible, but I'll say it anyway.

I have been able to continue this far thanks in part to the encouragement of my husband and children .

I have thought about doing other work,

When I thought about what I could do best,

I thought it was lacquer art after all.

── Now that you have continued working as a writer, is there anything you feel?

Nowadays, we can live a life with fewer inconveniences,

I have had many hardships and I am proud of the fact that I have worked hard on my own.

Looking back at the past, there were some horrible times that I honestly don't want to remember.

But thanks to those times,

I think we can express our gratitude to our customers from the bottom of our hearts.

In particular, I often have to think about my work while I'm making it, so

Sometimes we have to keep customers waiting.

He patiently waited for me,

I'm really grateful for the support in my life.

── Is there anything you would like to try with lacquer in the future?

I would like to exhibit just soup bowls.

The reason is that it's simply fun to make (laughs)

I think it's interesting that you can't see what's inside.

You don't know what's inside until you open the lid.

I think the excitement you feel when you open it is a bit like opening a jack-in-the-box.

── Finally, please give a message to young people in the world of lacquerware and other crafts.

Let's work hard together.

Actually, I was just about to learn

I think it's time for me to start giving it back (laughs).

But I honestly want to work hard together.

During the interview, words were not immediately returned.

Talk, stop, think, and start talking again.

I don't think it was a hesitation, but rather a time that needed to be taken.

Apply, let dry, wait.

During the interview, words were placed at the same speed as Yano's production.