Fukui [Lacquer Ware] ECHIZEN Shikki (Lacquerware)

Categories
Art / Traditional crafts
Area
Hokuriku-Shinetsu Fukui
Shops
Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square
Update date
2023-01-26

Echizen lacquerware is believed to date back to the 6th century when a lacquerer was ordered to recoat the emperor’s formal headpiece. The lacquerer presented a black lacquered bowl to the emperor along with the headpiece. The emperor recognized the quality of the lacquerer’s work and it is thought that this official encouragement led to the establishment of Echizen lacquerware as a unique style.

The turned items are made from wood placed on a lathe in line with the grain. The wood usually comes from Japanese chestnut, mizume birch or zelkova trees. Boxes and other complex pieces are coated with a finishing of hana-nuri lacquer, which does not show any brush marks or blemishes. This lacquerware is known for its gloss and gentle air of quality resulting from multiple coatings of lacquer on a robust ground. Also known as Kawada lacquerware, representative items include bowls, traditional food trays, conventional trays and stacking boxes (jubako).

ECHIZEN Shikki (Lacquerware) (details page)

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