Maeda Chikubōsai II

(1917-2003)

Maeda Chikubōsai II was born in the Hirai section of Sakai, where all of the Maeda clan lives. A late child, he was considered too young to train by his father and learned plaiting techniques from his father’s students instead. He began to receive some recognition for his work during the mid-1930s. After WW II, he showed in Osaka-area exhibitions and aspired to show creative work in Nitten.

In 1953 Chikubōsai II had his first piece accepted in Nitten, in 1959 at Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.

He was honoured by the Japanese government in 1992, and named “Living National Treasure” in bamboo craft in 1995.