Introduction of WAJIMA URUSHI Lacquerware

History of WAJIMA NURI

WAJIMA NURI is a hard and durable finish with ultra matte to high gloss and that can be further polished as required. With high technique using coated layer upon layer from the method of MAKI-E and CHIN-KIN ( lacquerware with gold inlay ), WAJIMA NURI is unrivaled in other Lacquerware artifacts not only in Japan but also in other countries.

The area of Wajima has thrived as a center of culture, politics and economy in deep Noto peninsular through the linchpin of shipping and transportation in the Sea of Japan since old time.

The origin of WAJIMA NURI was around 400 years ago, they say that a buddhist priest who was exiled from KOYASAN by Nobunaga Oda had taught the technique of Lacquerware to people lived in Wajima area. Or in another old history, they say that when building the temple named Souji-ji, some priest in Negoro temple took craftsmen who had experiences and knowledge of Lacquerware to Wajimaarea.

The first son of Emperor Montoku, Imperial Prince Koretaka gave the rights of deforestation to persons of potter's wheel and made bowls and trays with the tradition of Wajima method. The WAJIMA NURI was completed with this original Wajima techniques and combined with other area's techniques. The reputation of WAJIMA NURI now is raised by high quality skills and crystallized efforts by many lacquer craftsmen.

What is Lacquer

The main ingredient of lacquer is an Urushiol and a good lacquer contains a lot of Urushiol.

To dry lacquer in good condition humidity and appropriate temperature is required, not as same as laundry drying.
( humidity 75% to 85% and temperature 25 to 30 degrees centigrade)

Once a lacquer products were dried, an adhesive power will be generated and never effected with acid, alkali, salt, alcohol and etc. Waterproofing and corrosion are also proven so since an ancient period, people in Japan used a lacquer as a glue and found lacquerwares from many old remains in Japan.

Top of Wajima Nuri
Keizuka Shikki Kobo. Ltd

First lacquer craftsmanYuichi Keizuka became Urushi craftsmanin 1918 and resolved on his path in life as an ideal Urushi lacquerware. He wanted to realize his will to be the best Urushi lacquerware craftsman in Japan and made a coat of arms described One in the circle.

In second generation in Keizuka Shikki Kobo Ltd, Shubei Keizuka was aiming at the best skills for Urushi and collected the best craftsmen to his company.

Wajima Nuri is a handicraft accumulated the craftsmen group's efforts with Kiji-shi, Nuri-shi, Makie-shi, Chinkin-shi and etc. All progress of works are more than 70 from Kiji-tsukuri, Nuno-yose, Jitsuki, Togi, Uwanuri to Kashoku. Sometimes it will be more than 120 progresses depending on the item. Once all progresses done, the material used for Urushi-Nuri can't distinguish whether it was used the best Keyaki wood or cheap wood, Nunogise, or Urushi which was made in Japan or other countries even a proffessional Urushi craftsmen. "The best" of Urushi concentrated all efforts and times on the job with the best material, a marsterful perfromance, pride of artisan, solid products enabel to use until a grandchild and beauty are the gem of Wajima Keizuka. The thrid generation Dai Keizuka has inherited all sprit, history and craftsman ship in his blood.

Quintessence of Craftsmanship A bowl of Wajima Keizuka has a excellent reputaion for its beauty and solid product enable to use until grandchild generation. The material (unpainted wood) used is higher than a truck height and the making material is a luxurious cross cutting method which a stright-grained wood used in horizontal line are a traditional technique of real Wajima-nuri. The works of Wajima-nuri craftsmen are separated in Hikimono, Magemono, Bokukiji, Nuri-shi, Rouiro, Maki-e and Chinkin. Keizuka Shikki Kobo Ltd brings and fosters all craftsmen together as a lacquer crafs artisan.

Progress of works are :

1. Kiji-Katame
   Painting raw Urushi on a material
2. Nuno-Yose
   Reinforcing the expendable part on a bowl with putting a natural cotton cloth on it.
3. Honkata-Jinuri
   Painting Urushi to a thick wooden bowl on and on twice or third time with mixed glue made from non-glutinous rice and raw Urushi . Repeated polish and paint again and again.
   

The scecret of Wajima Nuri is supported by this method and technique of Honkata-Jinuri (under-coating, second painting and finish painting). From making unpainted wood, Nunokise, Jitsuke, Togi, Uwanuri to Kashoku, all progresses are more than 70 processes. All progresses are hand-made works with sensitiveness, concentration and fortitude.

With long training of skills, Wajima Keizuka craftsmanship is consistent with technique like God hand and manufacturing all products in real crafsman work.

As for your custom order request, we would like to accept your request for bowl, plate, free stand screen, wardrobe and table. Please inform us your size of each item and design you expect. Please feel free to ask any requests to us.