The ``Tsugaru lacquer successor training project 2021 results presentation'' is currently being held at the Takumikan 2nd floor gallery in Fujita Memorial Garden (Kamishirogane-cho, Hirosaki City).

The Tsugaru lacquer successor training project, run by Hirosaki City and the Aomori Prefecture Lacquerware Cooperative Association, aims to develop future leaders and promote the local industry. The results presentation event, which was not held due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be held for the second consecutive year following last year, and this time 150 works by five trainees will be exhibited.

Hiroyasu Nishitani, the only male and oldest of the five trainees, retired from the company at the age of 49 and began learning Tsugaru lacquerware as a trainee. This is the third year of the training, which will be completed in two weeks. Looking back, Nishitani said, ``I learned that people under the age of 50 cannot participate in the training program, so I decided to take part now.Three years went by in the blink of an eye.''

The youngest, Sesera Sato, is 18 years old and in her second year of training. A training piece of Tsugaru lacquered chopsticks will be exhibited. Mr. Sato says with a smile, ``The appeal of Tsugaru lacquerware is that you can't make it exactly the way you want.The taste varies depending on the artist, so it's a learning experience for me to be able to see the works of fellow trainees.''

In addition to exhibiting the works, the venue will feature panels explaining the work, the tools used for Tsugaru lacquering, and the types of lacquering. Two or more trainees will be in the gallery during the exhibition.

Shihori Oyamauchi, who is participating in the training while raising her two children, chose Tsugaru lacquerware as a career she could do for the rest of her life and took advantage of the training program. Koyamauchi appeals to visitors, saying, ``You can learn a lot just by picking up and looking at our work.I hope many people will come and see it.''

The event will be held from 10:00 to 16:00 (17th = 15:00). free entrance. Until March 17th.