ESSAY 1 : Zoey Moo

SHORI COLLECTION

There is an Asian legend about a koi fish that braves the surging currents of a massive waterfall. Upon reaching the top, the exhausted fish makes one final leap over the summit and is transformed into a dragon as a reward for its dedication. The underdog story, a poignant reminder to persevere through the hurdles of life to achieve one’s destiny, is also the inspiration for the Shori collection, a collaboration between 353-year-old fine Japanese lacquer ware company Zohiko and 129-year-old Malaysian pewter brand Royal Selangor.

Each sculpture in the collection features a koi fish crafted from pewter, poised against rugged rock mountains and silver cascading streams of water – elements drawn from traditional Chinese paintings – ready for that all-important leap. Its lithe body is covered by layers of lacquer, its every contour and detail illuminated by sparkling gold and silver powder. The fish are decorated to echo the brilliant colours of their real-life counterparts: Miyabi, the gold koi, signifies elegance; Irodori, a multi-coloured carp signifies beauty; and Go, painted a deep bronze, represents strength.

Even the sculpture’s packaging is given an artistic touch. The box opens up to reveal a back plate, painted in black and blue lacquer and then polished using different strengths. This creates a magnetising blend of colours that draws the viewers in to parallel the depths of water. The Shori collection marks the first time this technique pioneered by Zohiko – Mine Kumonuri – is used.

Lacquer artist Ken Uemura, with more than 40 years of experience in the techniques of urushi and maki-e, worked on the decorative detailing of the collection. He sprinkles gold powder on the fish using a funzutsu, a bamboo tube with a fine mesh at one end, and then painstakingly polishes it to produce a seductive sparkle. In itself, maki-e is difficult. But for Uemura, who works well with tiny details, the work on the collection was particularly challenging as it did not involve fine lines.

Tsuyoshi Nishimura, president of Kyoto-based Zohiko, had always contemplated the idea of exploring the application of fine lacquering techniques. Realising that skills like urushi and maki-e were close to being extinct, he wanted to revive these methods and reintroduce them to the world.

Nishimura was exposed to Japanese culture as a young boy but only began to appreciate traditional arts when I was older and could understand the meaning behind certain shapes and designs. Carp, to him, symbolise strength, promotion and success, so he envisioned the Shori sculptures as especially meaningful for a young person who has just started a company or harbours big plans for the future.

With the combined influence of Zohiko’s lacquer art and Royal Selangor’s classy styling, the Shori collection, stunning in its minimalistic beauty, is no doubt a treasure – and an exclusive one at that with only 88 sets in the world.