1988年出生于东京的斑万字，为学习锻金技术作为创作的基础，高中毕业后随即前往京都，于锻金师的门下担任学徒数年，扎根学习各种金属的加工技术之后，立志成为艺术家，持续自学并开始发表创作。
斑万字擅长运用称之为「木目金」（Mokume-gane）的日本传统锻金技术，创作出简洁、具现代感的立体雕塑。木目金的发展始于约四百年前的江户时代初期，层叠多种金属打造出精致的花纹，装饰在武士的刀剑上，兼具美感与权势的象征。随着武士文化式微，做工繁琐且费力费时的木目金技术近乎失传于世，近年受到国际美术馆的收藏与研究，才又重新受到关注，而斑万字更是率先将此传统工艺技术作为艺术创作手法的先驱。
〈裸立方〉(Uncovered Cube)系列作品雕塑，看似形状相似的各个面向，实则具备纤细差异，艺术家藉由立方体表现出人类本身具有的多方样貌。探究人性与物质本性的创作方向，从立体延伸至平面，应用木目金的锻造手法过程，在一如往常地敲击下，探讨软硬刚柔迥异的多种媒材相互之间的融合极限与并存关系，投射艺术家对于人性本质相异的反向思索体悟，累积成他充满矛盾与反复诘问自己的人间观察笔记。
Born in Tokyo in 1988, relocated to Kyoto to study under a toreutic master, driven by his aspiration to become an artist. He actively expands his skills in various metal-processing techniques, consistently pushing the boundaries of his craft. Manji’s mastery of Mokume-gane, a traditional Japanese metalworking technique, positions him as a pioneer in utilising this ancient craft for artistic creation. Mokume-gane, dating back to the early Edo period, involves layering different metals to form patterns on Samurai swords. Although the technique had nearly vanished over time due to its complex and time-consuming nature, recent collections and studies have revived its prominence on the world stage. Manji, in particular, stands out as one of the first to embrace this traditional craft as a means of artistic expression.
In his series titled Uncovered Cube, Manji presents seemingly identical cubes that subtly differ, each representing distinct facets of human nature. Through his art, Manji explores humanity and the essence of materials, transcending the conventional three-dimensional realm. By employing the consistent forging process of Mokume-gane, he examines the limitations of integrating multimedia elements and the coexistence of diverse human experiences. His art provides a platform for exploring various aspects of humanity from a unique perspective. He collects his observations and insights, which often challenge conventional notions, and compiles them into a personal notebook. This collection reflects contradictions and recurring thoughts about the essence of humanity.
个展 Solo Exhibition：
2022 Madara Manji: Explosion, Whitestone Gallery, Tokyo Ginza New, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
2021 Madara Manji: Core, Whitestone Gallery, Taipei Neihu, Taipei, Taiwan, China
2020 Madara Manji: Mass, Whitestone Gallery, Tokyo Ginza New, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
2020 Madara Manji: Accumulation, Whitestone Gallery, Taipei Neihu, Taipei, Taiwan
2020 Madara Manji: Vortex, Whitestone Gallery, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
2017 Madara Manji: Antagonism and Transcendence ,Whitestone Gallery, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
群展 Group Exhibition：
2024 Invisible Dimension, Whitestone Gallery, Beijing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
2023 We Love China: Part 2, Whitestone Gallery, Beijing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
2023 We Love China: Part 1, Whitestone Gallery, Beijing ,Chaoyang, Beijing, China
2021 Hebime & Madara Manji: Two Man to Shave ,YOD Gallery ,Osaka, Japan
2019 Neo-Materialism, Whitestone Gallery, Tokyo Ginza New, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
2017 Hebime, Madara Manji & Masayuki Tsubota: Intermixture ,Whitestone Gallery, Hong Kong (Hollywood Road), Central, Hong Kong, China
