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Striking Objects exhibition installation

Striking Objects exhibition installation © National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

30 January 2026

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art: 'Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork'

This show allows visitors to experience how artists of metalwork can achieve a variety of visual effects through the application of some basic metalworking techniques, namely hammering. The show features exquisitely crafted metal objects by 17 contemporary Japanese artists alongside 18 metalworking tools. Included in this show are pieces by Sekiya Shiro (1907-1994) and Osumi Yukie (b. 1945), both artists whom have been designated by the Japanese government as “Living National Treasures”, with Osumi-san being the first woman to hold this title for metalworking.

Striking Objects exhibition installation

Striking Objects exhibition installation © National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution

Hagino Noriko

Hagino Noriko, Line (Sen) 2016, Silver, gold, and shakudō (copper and gold alloy) in hagiawase(joined metals) technique, © Hagino Noriko / National Museum of Asian Art,Smithsonian Institution, Bequest of Shirley Z. Johnson,S2022.8.53a-

Ōtsuki Masako

Ōtsuki Masako, Dancer (Maiko) 1995, Hammered and chiseled silver, shakudō (copper and gold alloy), and amalgam gilding, © ŌtsukiMasako / National Museum of Asian Art,Smithsonian Institution, Bequest of Shirley Z. Johnson,S2022.8.39a-c

Tanaka Terukazu

Tanaka Terukazu, ShimmeringRiver (Kōga) 2005, Hammered copper, shakudō (copper and gold alloy), amalgamgilding and silver electroplating, © Tanaka Terukazu / National Museum of Asian Art,Smithsonian Institution, Bequest of Shirley Z. Johnson,S2022.8.9a-e

Ōsumi Yukie

Ōsumi Yukie, Wave Crests (Namiho) 2014, Hammered silver with nunomezōgan (textile imprint inlay) inlead and gold, © Ōsumi Yukie / National Museum of Asian Art,Smithsonian Institution, Bequest of Shirley Z. Johnson,S2022.8.33a-c

Credits

  • Show Curator – Sol Jung, Shirley Z. Johnson Assistant Curator of Japanese Art
  • Lead support generously provided through the Shirley Z. Johnson Endowment Fund.
  • Additional support provided by Mitsubishi Corporation.