ICJC Friday Night Lecture Series - Artist Shoichi Sakurai

Shoichi Sakurai was born first son to a master Kumiko-tategu-shokunin in the downtown district of Tokyo. Unable to relate to the rigid Japanese lifestyle, he yearned for the outside world. After a few years of life in California exporting antiques, he gained a fresh perspective and saw his homeland and culture with new eyes. He then traveled to Africa and Asia, studying their native crafts. Returning to Japan, he was inspired to create his own work. Melding innovative ideas with a Japanese aesthetic, Sakurai is widely active in the U.S., Europe and Japan. See his website here: http://www.shoichi-sakurai.com