Kagawa Prefectural Lacquer Art Institute

In short

The Kagawa Prefectural Lacquer Art Institute in Takamatsu was set up in November 1954 to preserve Kagawa lacquer techniques such as kinma, zonsei and chōshitsu and to train their successors; the institute describes itself as the first facility of its kind in Japan. Its research course lasts three years, takes ten students a year aged 35 or under, and charges no examination, enrolment or tuition fees; teachers include holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasures). Since 2009 the institute has been housed in the Kagawa Prefectural Culture Hall, and a research fellow course follows the student course.