Gold is often a symbol of wealth and success, or a representation of fundamental desires such as faith and the desire for power, but it can also signify pure brilliance and sanctity.

Tomoko Takahashi is a ceramic artist who expresses natural scenes using geometric patterns made of gold and silver foil, and her works are a rare type that combine splendor and grandeur.

I wonder when I first saw Tomoko's work.

She was by no means cold, but I still remember the aloof beauty that set her apart from those around her. She herself is a strong-willed, gentle, and refined person.

That inner strength translates into a sense of transparency, which is also reflected in the artwork, making one realize that the artwork is a mirror reflecting the artist.

This time, in addition to the popular "Swimming Moon" series, the artist will also be exhibiting a work titled "Nei," which is inspired by the scenery of Mongolia, which he traveled to last year, and his hometown of Hokkaido.

This is a dignified and mystical piece, with a lime green body adorned with silver foil.

He apparently felt a sense of eternity in the mountain and grassland landscapes from late spring to early summer, and tried to capture that fleeting moment.

Another striking piece is a water container named "Gen no Tsuki" (Black Moon), which features a black base created using a chemical reaction between overglaze and metal foil, adorned with geometric gold leaf patterns.

This vessel, said to represent the flickering of life, is even sensual, dazzling, ephemeral, and beautiful, reminiscent of Klimt's paintings that depict love, life, and death.

Mieko Iwai (Head of Crafts Department, National Museum of Crafts)