Metta

Brief Summary of Sayoko Eri’s Life and Career

1945 – Born in Kyoto, Japan.

1978 – Studied traditional “kirikane” techniques under Master Kisho Kitamura.

1982 – The first exhibition of Sayoko Eri’s kirikane works was held at Wako Hall in the Ginza district of Tokyo (further exhibitions continued in 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011).

1990 – Received a prize in the Kyoto Crafts and Arts Exhibition (sponsored by Kyoto Prefecture) for “Tea ceremony screen, Shining.”

1991 – Awarded the President Prize of the Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Association at the 38th Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Art Crafts for “Ornamental octagonal box, Flowering Art and Elegance.”

1992 – Received a prize from the Japan Art Crafts Association in the 8th Exhibition of the Nanabukai of Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Association for “Ornamental small box, Fine Moment” (the original design featured on our Metta Journals and Memento Boxes).

2000 – Awarded the 13th Kyoto Art and Culture Prize.

2001 – Won the Takamatsunomiya (Prince Takamatsu) Commemorative Prize in the 48th Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Art Crafts, for “Ornamental box, Silk Road Fantasy.”

2002 – Named by the Japanese government as being a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property.

2002 – Received the 22nd Pola Prize for Traditional Art.

2005 – Became a member of a team responsible for ornamenting the interior of the Kyoto State Guest House.

2006 – Recognized by Kyoto City as a Person of Cultural Merit.

2007 – Received a prize at the 41st Cultural Awards for the Promotion of Buddhism from the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism.

2007 – While visiting Amiens, France, passed away at the age of 62.