In this multimedia exhibition, Japanese heritage meets French aesthetics
Discover how maki-e, a Japanese lacquer decoration technique, comes alive on distinctly French motifs
A refined work of art
There is something poetic about Japanese craftsmanship: the long, arduous years it takes to master a single brushstroke; the most delicate of hands applying a gold leaf that could break under the faintest breath; and aesthetics that are simultaneously rooted in the past yet everlasting, whatever the future holds.
Maki-e is one such refined technique. It’s a method of decorating wherein designs are first drawn with lacquer on the surface of an item before metal power—gold, silver, among others—is sprinkled over it. Oftentimes, waka, a type of poetry from classical Japanese literature, inspires the motifs illustrated on the lacquerware.
It’s an art form that lends itself well to luxury—one that transcends cultures and boundaries. It’s something that isn’t merely applied; it breathes new life into whatever it touches.
A marriage of cultures
At the France Pavilion of this year’s Osaka-Kansai World Expo 2025, the iconic logos on the chain links of the Arc de Triomphe are reimagined through the lens of maki-e. CELINE presents a multimedia and multisensorial exhibition highlighting the intimate marriage between Japanese lacquer techniques and the codes of the French luxury house.
Showcased at the expo are Japanese urushi (lacquer) Triomphe art pieces, created by Hikoju Makie. Founded by the late Master Takashi Wakamiya, they are a group of Japanese artisans specializing in traditional lacquered pieces and artwork, based in the city of Wajima in Ishiwaka prefecture.
These pieces are displayed alongside Triomphe bags developed exclusively for the expo, expressing the most traditional values of Japanese culture: vermilion red for resurrection and rebirth, black for elegance and formality, and gold for sunshine and nature.
Completing the Japanese-inspired interiors of the French exhibition are two videos directed by visual artist and filmmaker Soshi Nakamura: “Hands at Work” highlighting the craftsmanship from Hikoju Makie and CELINE; and “Ten Landscapes of Dreams”, a collaborative video installation where the Triomphe is found exploring the beauty of Japan.
Through an immersive experience, visitors of the space are invited to witness how French elegance is infused with the unique spirit of Japanese aesthetics.
Photos courtesy CELINE
