Shuhei Fujioka
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| Shuhei Fujioka | |
 Promotional photo ca. 2003
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| Born | Dec 1950 Nagoya, Japan  |
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| Occupation | Master Sculptor |
Shuhei Fujioka (藤岡周平 ふじおか しゅうへい), born 1950 in Nagoya, Japan, is a sculptor famous for his work on porcelain figurines.
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[edit] General
Shuhei Fujioka is the son of Yasuhei Fujioka, the first "master sculptor" that brought life to Precious Moments as porcelain figurines. Since he was young, Shuhei learned the business and how to sculpt under his father. Shuhei took over the business from his father and became the second generation master sculptor during the early 1990's.
A popular misconception is how Shuhei's name is descended from his father's name, Yasuhei. Many American fans call his father "Yashuhei" with an extra "h". But in Japanese kanji, Yasuhei's name is written "八洲平” (Ya-Su-Hei), and there is no "sh" sound in his name. "平” (Hei) is a commonly used ending for Japanese male names.
Currently, Shuhei works and trains artists in Nagoya and Chicago. If asked where he mostly resides, he will answer, "in the plane", as Shuhei travels extensively around the world amongst the studios, factories, and retail stores.
Shuhei Fujioka is also the master sculptor for his own line of products under the name of Precious Memory.
[edit] Precious Memory
Fujioka's company took on sales operations and a new name, Precious Memory, Inc., in the late 1990's to answer to the needs of a distributor in Japan for Precious Moments products. The then president and CEO of Enesco, Corp., Eugene Freedman, was a long time business partner and friend for both Shuhei and his father. At Freedman's request, Shuhei took on the responsibilities of distributorship in Japan.
As encouragement, Enesco allowed Shuhei and his studios to sculpt a series of "Japan Exclusive" figurines. The products were scrutinized and blessed with inspirational titles by Sam Butcher. Enesco decided to let Precious Memory exclusively market these products for the first six months after introduction, then the products were to be available world wide. As the Enesco era came to a close in 2005, these items were "retired".
In the first decade of the 2000's, Shuhei also created his own line of products. As evident in the flagship products, Memories In Eternity, these products celebrated Japanese history and culture. Also, other product lines were introduced under the Precious Memory brand that touched on common Asian cultures, like the Chinese zodiacs.
Precious Memory and the studios have also pioneered new methods to apply glass to bisque ceramic, and also created the Natural Jade Glaze for their Yashiroyama-gama high-end tea ceremony vessels.
[edit] Resource
- Fujioka, Shinsuke. Interview. Nov. 19, 2006.
- Precious Memory, Inc. et al. "Shuhei Fujioka:Master Sculptor" billboard. ca. 2004.
- Precious Memory, Inc. et al. 2006 brochure. ca. 2006.
