Yamanaka Lacquerware
目次
Yamanaka-Machi, the pride of Ishikawa Prefecture’s lacquerware production area and its history
Yamanaka-nuri is a type of lacquerware produced in the Yamanaka Onsen area of Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture (formerly Yamanaka Town, Enuma County, Ishikawa Prefecture) since the late 1500s.
Kaga City is located at the southernmost tip of Ishikawa Prefecture, and its beautiful 16.5 km coastline is designated as the Echizen-Kaga Kaigan National Park. To the east is Mt. Hakusan, a sacred mountain, and to the south are a series of mountains rich in nature, including Mt.
Yamanaka lacquerware began in the Tensho period (1573-1592) during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It is said that the origin of Yamanaka lacquerware dates back to the Tensho period (1573-1592), when woodcutters with permits to cut down forests in various countries migrated from the mountains of Echizen (northeastern Fukui Prefecture) to the Manago district, located 20 km upstream from Yamanaka Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture, and introduced the technique of “wheel-thrown lacquerware”.
Although there was a temporary interruption due to World War II, the traditional techniques of Yamanaka lacquerware were highly regarded and became famous throughout Japan. While the familiar and popular lacquered ware is supported by the public, its artistic value is also recognized for the beauty of its delicate ornamental grinding and elegant maki-e lacquerware.
Yamanaka lacquerware was recognized as a traditional craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1975, and there is a living national treasure, Ryozo Kawakita. In Ishikawa Prefecture, known as the “traditional kingdom,” Yamanaka lacquerware is known as “Yamanaka for wood,” “Wajima for lacquering,” and “Kanazawa for maki-e” and is very famous for its wood.
The origins of Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware will be explained along with an introduction to its beautiful lacquerware.
Beautiful wood surface of Yamanaka Lacquerware
This tray is made of zelkova, the wood grain of which Yamanaka Lacquerware is most proud of.
Yamanaka Paint 8.0 Marubeni Heiwa
8,800 JPY (incl. tax)
Woodworkers moved from Manago to Yamanaka to begin their business. The foundation of Yamanaka lacquerware was laid, initially with white ground wood, and mainly as souvenirs for spa visitors. Later, from 1600 to 1800, master craftsmen were invited from all over Japan, and Yamanaka lacquerware developed through the introduction of their techniques.
Various techniques were developed, and Yamanaka lacquerware, which values the beauty and warmth of wood grain, has come to be loved by people around the world and boasts the highest production value in Japan. In particular, techniques to make the wood look beautiful are a major characteristic of Yamanaka lacquerware, including kashyoku-biki and fuki-urushi (wiping lacquer).
◇Kashokubiki
Soba-inokuchi (buckwheat noodle cup) with a pattern expressed on a potter’s wheel
Yamanaka-nuri MORI buckwheat noodle pot (red)
7,150円 JPY (incl. tax)
Decoration is the process of applying a pattern to the wood by applying a blade to the surface while the potter’s wheel is turning. The most characteristic decorative technique of Yamanaka lacquerware is called “suji-biki,” in which fine parallel stripes are made on the surface of the wood, and there are more than dozens of techniques, including “sen-suji,” in which fine stripes are drawn one by one in equal widths, “ara-suji,” in which rough and random stripes are made, “ke-suji” and “itome,” in which fine and delicate stripes are made using needle-like objects, “tobi-suji,” in which the edge of a planer is shaved while it is bouncing, and “inaho-hiki,” in which the blade tip is shaved in the pattern of rice ears. There are more than dozens of techniques, such as “Inahobi-giri,” in which the blade tip bounces while shaving, and “Inaho-biki,” in which the blade is shaved in the pattern of an ear of rice.
◇Fukiurushi
One of the charms of Yamanaka lacquerware is that it is very simple in construction and uses a technique that brings out the grain of the wood. The amber-colored raw lacquer is repeatedly applied to the wood and then wiped off. This process is called “nuki-urushi. The finished piece has a dignified beauty with a glossy finish that feels soft and comfortable in the hand. In addition, since wuki-urushi does not hide the underlying surface, there is no room for deception in the wood. By using high quality domestic wood, you can feel the nature and enjoy the beauty of various wood grain patterns.
Beautiful Yamanaka Lacquerware
Lacquered flower vase with beautiful gradation
Yamanaka Lacquer ware, Akebono-nuri (flower vase)
11,000 JPY (incl. tax)
Maki-e lacquered soup bowl with lid
Mountains painted with snow and moon flowers and dill painting
110,000 JPY (incl. tax)
Yamanaka-nuri, created by a woodworker, did not only develop from the wood. As shown in the photo above, Yamanaka lacquerware was also made to be beautifully lacquered as flower vases and bowls, and the pursuit of beautiful lacquerware was pursued. In the process, Yamanaka-nuri also developed its own unique lacquerware. Representative of such lacquers are Koma-nuri (Dokura-nuri) and Shudame-nuri (Shudame-nuri).
◇Koma-nuri
Dokura-nuri was popular among the common people in the mid-Edo period, and refers to a lacquering technique in which colorful colors are applied to the lacquer to make it eye-catching for children. The colorful colors are applied one by one by a maki-e artist with a brush while turning a potter’s wheel. The result looks like the face of a dokuraku (a Japanese puppet), hence the name “Dokuraku-nuri. Dokuraku is said to bring good luck, and this slightly gaudy design is perfect for festive banquets such as New Year’s.
◇Shutame-nuri
Tame-nuri tray for dried confectionery.
Yamanaka Coated 8-inch Slip-coated Eustoma Pot with Buds
4,950 JPY (incl. tax)
Shutame-nuri is a lacquerware technique in which tame-urushi lacquer is applied on top of vermilion and polished, so that the vermilion color becomes more transparent and brighter as time goes by. Since the lacquer is a beautifully transparent candy-colored lacquer, the color of the lacquer seen will vary depending on the color of the lacquer used for the base. It is a reddish-brown color with a transparency unique to urushi, and this beautiful color can only be produced with urushi.
Yamanaka-nuri Production Process
Yamanaka lacquerware is produced in four major processes: wood, base, top coating, and maki-e. Each process takes 7 to 8 years of training for the craftsman to become a full-fledged artisan. Here, we would like to introduce the production process.
Unpainted wood
The main materials used for Yamanaka-nuri are zelkova, horse chestnut, cherry, and chestnut, which are the finest in Japan. The solid wood is cut into round slices and various sizes of kiji are made to fit the mold. The “vertical mokitori” is a technique unique to Yamanaka Lacquer Ware. The wood is ground vertically, which is a unique technique unique to Yamanaka Lacquer Ware, and is characterized by less distortion and distortion of the wood compared to the horizontal ground.
After the pieces are cut to fit the mold and dried, they are “wheel-thrown,” or hollowed out while being rotated using a plane or blade. Each craftsman uses his own highly developed skills to apply delicate decorations to the surface of the wood, using only the tools he himself has forged. There are about 50 different types of “kashikahiki,” designs for decorating the surface of the wood, including “itome-suji,” “rokuro-suji,” and “biri-suji,” with a wide variety of variations.
Foundation
The process includes “kijikome,” or hardening of the wood to prevent distortion of the wood by allowing the lacquer to absorb into the grain, “kokuzo,” or filling in holes and cracks in the wood, and “nunokise,” or reinforcing the hemp cloth applied to the base and edges of the piece. Next, “base lacquer,” a mixture of glue and ground lacquer, is applied with a wooden spatula and sharpened repeatedly to strengthen the surface and make it smooth. Finally, a thin layer of “sabi-ji,” which is a mixture of urushi lacquer and polishing powder, is applied to the entire surface with a wooden spatula, allowed to dry, and then polished to a smooth and shiny finish.
Final Coat
After the base coat is applied, the lacquer painter begins the process of applying black and vermilion lacquer with a brush. This is an important process to produce the unique deep coloring of lacquer, and the lacquer is repeatedly applied and polished in the “primer”, “middle lacquer”, and “top lacquer” processes. The process requires careful attention to detail, as it is affected by daily weather conditions and humidity in order for the coated lacquer to harden. The work also requires the utmost attention so that even the slightest dust or dirt in the air does not adhere to the lacquer. As you can see, this is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, but by carefully and sparingly carrying out the detailed processes, a durable and beautiful piece of lacquerware is completed.
Maki-e
It is a work of the artist Munehiro Dojo.
Yamanaka Paint Dojo Sogyo Sokujube
110,000 JPY (incl. tax)
Although Yamanaka-nuri has a strong image of wood, maki-e has of course developed in Yamanaka-nuri as well. We have excellent maki-e artists, and there is an abundance of lacquerware decorated with wonderful maki-e. In particular, Yamanaka lacquerware has a nationwide reputation for the production of tea ceremony utensils called natsume (jujube). The tea caddy shown here is made by Dojo Munehiro, a tea ceremony utensil artist. The exterior of this jujube is made by pursuing the beauty of the grain of the wood, but when you peel off the lid, you can see the gorgeous maki-e lacquer inside.
Typical Yamanaka-nuri maki-e techniques include “Togidashi maki-e” and “Takamaki-e”. In “Togidashi maki-e,” powder is sprinkled and allowed to dry before being coated with lacquer and polished with charcoal until the gold or silver becomes visible. Takamaki-e, a technique of maki-e with a high maki-e height, is said to have been fostered by aristocrats, and is full of elegance and grace.
How to raise Yamanaka Lacquerware
There are some things you should know about Yamanaka lacquerware in order to keep it in your hands for a long time. If you understand the individuality and characteristics of lacquerware before using it, the more you care for it, the more beautiful and tasteful it will become. Here, under the title “How to Grow Lacquer Ware,” we will show you how to use and care for your lacquer ware.
Good use of lacquerware
Depending on the season and your mood, you can choose from a variety of lacquerware to serve your food in a way that suits your appearance, texture, and palate. Lacquerware is made of wood, which has low thermal conductivity and excellent heat and cold retention properties. This means that hot food can be served hot and cold food can be served cold. However, it cannot be used in a microwave oven. The microwaves generated by microwave ovens when heating things up also work on the water molecules inside the wood, causing damage from the inside out.
How to care for lacquerware
People have a desire to drink miso soup from a lacquer bowl, but can I take care of it? But can I clean it? However, just like china and glassware, lacquerware can be washed with a soft sponge using a neutral detergent. It is best to soak it in hot water before washing other dishes, and then wash it after soaking it in hot water to loosen any stuck-on stains, such as rice.
Scrubbing with a scrubbing brush, polishing powder, or a hard sponge will result in fine scratches and loss of luster. The lacquer can be left to dry naturally in the washing basket, but wiping off the water will improve the lacquer’s gloss. Dishwashers and dishwashers cannot be used as they damage the wood and the lacquer coating.
Choosing a place for Lacquerware
Most lacquerware is made of wood. Wood contains a small amount of moisture even when dry, so continuous exposure to extreme dryness can cause skin irritation. Daily use and washing will provide moisture to the lacquerware and make it happy. However, lacquerware does not like direct sunlight. When not in use for a long time, wrap the lacquer ware in soft paper or cloth and put it away out of the sunlight.
Yamanaka Lacquerware Today
Yamanaka Lacquerware has established a mass production system based on the division of labor by production process, forming a lacquerware complex in Yamanaka Town and Kaga City. As a local industry, Yamanaka Lacquerware has made great strides in becoming a major production center with the highest production value in Japan. While continuing to carry on its 400-year history and traditions, the company will continue to develop new materials and markets by making full use of new technologies, and aggressively promote the creation of products that meet the needs of the times.
The Birth of Wooden Lacquerware
A beautifully painted vermilion lacquered plum-shaped confectionary bowl.
Yamanaka-nuri Plum-shaped Bowl with Shohaku Crane
5,280 JPY (incl. tax)
Around 1958, resin was introduced into Yamanaka lacquerware, which had been based on wooden lacquerware and developed mainly in tableware. This Yamanaka-nuri Shohaku plum-shaped bowl (in a wooden box) is also made of wood formed from wood shavings and resin. As you can see, it looks like a high-class lacquered sweets bowl, but customers say that it is easy to use.
Thus, in addition to traditional wooden lacquerware, the market for Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware, with its low price and diverse design and functionality, has further expanded to meet a variety of domestic and international demands. The characteristics and feel of natural wooden lacquerware and resin-processed wooden (wood) lacquerware are different from each other, so it is best to use them for different purposes.
Antibacterial and other actions.
Some studies have shown that lacquerware has antibacterial properties. Even after serving rice or dishes on lacquerware, it is said to prevent the growth of bacteria. The effect on the new coronavirus has not been verified, so we do not know, but we hope that you will use lacquerware as tableware to surround your dining table with peace of mind, alleviating some of your concerns about things you cannot see.
Recommended Yamanaka Lacquer
Finally, we recommend Yamanaka lacquerware. The types of lacquerware produced in Yamanaka include bowls, confectionery bowls, name plates, jars, and vases, as well as small boxes and clocks. The styles of lacquerware produced range from traditional lacquerware designs to new approaches to what is known as modern design.
Lacquerware is by no means formal; it is light, strong, antibacterial, insulating, functional, and easy to use. If you have the opportunity, we hope you will take Yamanaka lacquerware in your hands and enjoy the beauty born of Japanese nature and Japanese techniques rooted in the village of the potter’s wheel.
※For detailed product descriptions, please refer to each product page.
An assortment of soup bowls with a chic expression of snow, moon, and flowers.
【Yamanaka-nuri, set of soup bowls with maki-e lacquer of snow, moon and flowers】
110,000 JPY (incl. tax)
It is a work of the artist Munehiro Dojo.
Yamanaka Paint Dojo Sogang Sakurajujube
110,000 JPY (incl. tax)
A Yamanaka-nuri flower vase with a glossy finish.
Yamanaka Lacquer ware, Akebono-nuri (flower vase)
11,000 JPY (incl. tax)
A tea tray ground from a single piece of zelkova wood.
Yamanaka Painting: A Tea Pot
13,200 JPY (incl. tax)
This is a couple’s bowl in the image of a hanayome noren.
Yamanaka-nuri Bride’s Rice Bowl and Groom’s Rice Bowl
5,500 JPY (incl. tax)
Handmade bowls formed on a potter’s wheel.
Mistletoe Covered with Plum Pine Leaf
11,000 JPY (incl. tax)
Can also be used as a serving bowl.
Yamanaka 6.0 piece Hachibana cloth sticker with ancient color
17,600 JPY (incl. tax)
Round tray with vermilion lacquer and Kaga gold leaf.
Yamanaka Painting Shosuru 9.0 Marubeni
4,180 JPY (incl. tax)
