(bamboo artist)
Born in 1974 in Osaka. As a university student,
Nakatomi was inspired by the works of Shounsai Shono, who had been designated a Living National Treasure at the time, and decided to pursue a career as a bamboo artist. After graduating from university, Nakatomi studied the basics of the art in Beppu, a major centre for bamboo art, and apprenticed under Seiryu Honda. Nakatomi has worked as an independent artist since 2005. His work has been
exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and museums and galleries in major cities including New York, London and Paris. He has also created artworks for the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi and Fukuoka Airport’s VIP lounge. His work is included in public collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and San Francisco Asian Art Museum, among others.

Hard, flexible and easy to split, bamboo has long been a part of daily life in Japan. Bamboo crafts generally use the madake variety, which is known for its resilience and ease of weaving. After the bamboo is cut down, considerable time and effort is required before the thin strips of material are ready to be woven. In addition to baskets and other tools for living, the craftsmanship behind bamboo products has seen the craft also gain prominence in the worlds of art and fashion.

- Due to the handmade nature of this item, some natural variations may occur.
- Exposure to direct sunlight will dry out the bamboo, causing it to weaken.
- Strong impacts will cause damage to the bamboo section.
- Bamboo is a natural material and will deepen in colour over time.
- For daily maintenance, wipe with a soft, dry cloth.
- To remove dust from the woven sections, please use an air duster.
- To avoid mould forming, keep the item away from moisture.