Katsu HAMANAKA : A Decorative Artist in Paris and His Time

This paper offers a detailed account of Katsu Hamanaka’s career as a decorative artist active in Paris from 1928 to 1940. It evaluates information related to Hamanaka, who incorporated Japanese lacquer techniques into decorative art within the French Art Deco movement. This paper also discusses the ambivalent reaction of the Japanese lacquer industry to his work, referring to the differences in the position of lacquer art in France (decorative art) and Japan (crafts). Additionally, it explores how the Japanese lacquer industry struggled with the conflicting goals of promoting exports and preserving traditional crafts, with nationalism ultimately causing a shift toward the latter.