Heirs to Kyoto Talent: Mother-of-pearl Inlay Artisan Adds Sparkle of Shells to Lacquered Base with Confidence

KYOTO — Using chisels and small knives, artisan Mari Nomura cut the thin pearl inner layer of an abalone shell into small pieces. She then carefully picked up each piece with the tip of a skewer and, one by one, placed them gently on a lacquered wooden base. By arranging them while taking into account the angle of the light, even pieces measuring just a few millimeters sparkled brilliantly in blue and green.