Owls have long been associated with Magic and Wizardry in Western mythology and they are a symbol of wisdom that many in the West are familiar with, but Owls have a very special meaning in Japan;
Pronounced Fukuro in Japanese, Owl is a symbol of luck and good fortune in Japan.


Chinkin artist Etsuko Tsuruta
She was born in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan.
In 1970, she served her time apprenticeship with Mr. Koji Itaya, a famous Chinkin artist, living in Ishikawa prefecture.
She joined the 20th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition in 1973 and her crafts were accepted for this exhibition for the first time.
After that, her crafts were accepted 34 times for this exhibition.
She was certified a member of the Japan Art Craft Association in 1977.
In 1984, her craft was selected at the Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Lacquer Art Craft and her crafts were accepted 23 times for this exhibition.
In 1989, she served her time apprenticeship with Mr. Shogyo Oba who is a famous Living National Treasure, and she became an instructor of the Technical institute of Wajima Lacquer Art Craft.
In 1991, she joined Ishikawa Prefecture exhibition of the Japan Traditional Art Crafts and she was awarded the encouragement prize at this exhibition.
In 2000, she joined the Japan Traditional Art Crafts and she won the main prize of the Chief of the Cultural Affairs Agency.