About Wajima-Nuri (from Wajima-City, Ishikawa)

Among the many lacquerware-producing regions, Wajima stands out for its particularly meticulous crafting process. Nowadays, few areas utilize natural lacquer from base to finish. Additionally, Wajima incorporates diatomaceous earth for the base and a step of pasting cloth to achieve a robust yet elegant final product.

 

Some facts about natural lacquer 

Lacquer itself continues getting harder by contact with moisture in the air. Even after it is finished as a product, it slowly continues to harden and become stronger through this natural process.

This is why the sensation when putting your lips on a lacquered cup is very smooth, as the moisture from your lips is absorbed into the lacquer. It has the same sensation when touching lacquer with your hands as well.

Lacquer also possesses antibacterial properties, making it an attractive natural paint. Lacquer, which has been used as a paint since ancient times, has great potential as a paint.

About Taya Shikki

The Taya Shikki has been manufacturing and selling Wajima lacquerware for over 200 years. Wajima lacquer ware with a modern finish. It looks light like glass, but when you hold it, you can feel the warmth and gentleness that is unique to lacquerware.

Gradation of blue and black (from the craft maker)

The gradation of blue and black was inspired by a fleeting moment when the sea and sky turned this color as the sun set over the sea in Wajima. The blue color, representing the ocean, contains mica from granite which shimmers brilliantly. To create the feeling of being enveloped by the sea, the mica was mixed into the lacquer.

Creating a gradation requires a considerable level of skill and expertise, and our craftsmen initially struggled to produce them. However, we have finally reached a point where we can supply them reliably and consistently.