Sakura (Shokoufeh MOGHADDAM) is a Persian–French artist specializing in the rare and demanding art of Chinkin engraving on Urushi lacquer. Based in France, she stands apart as a self-taught practitioner who developed her mastery entirely outside Japan—without formal training, lineage, or mentorship—an exceptionally rare path in a discipline traditionally confined to Japan.
Her journey began in 2018, when she discovered Chinkin and committed herself to understanding every aspect of the craft. Through rigorous experimentation, discipline, and intuition, she achieved a full command of both Urushi lacquering and Chinkin engraving within just two years—an exceptional accomplishment in a field traditionally transmitted through generations.
Born and raised in Iran, she moved to France at the age of 25. Her birth name, Shokoufeh, meaning “blossom” in Persian, resonates with her artistic identity, Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom—symbolizing a bridge between cultures that lies at the heart of her work.
Sakura’s practice is defined by a uniquely independent approach. She works entirely freehand, deliberately bypassing the traditional Okimé transfer process, allowing each composition to emerge directly through gesture and precision. This method reinforces the singularity of her creations and the intimate connection between hand, material, and form.
Her artistic language is universal, drawing from Persian, French, and Japanese influences while transcending cultural boundaries. She seeks to expand the possibilities of Chinkin by creating pieces that have never been realized within this technique.
Each of her works is entirely one of a kind.
