Wajima Lacquerware “Wajima Creation Project - Conveying the Heart of Wajima”  (No. 118 )

http://www.wajimacci.or.jp/jb/waproject/top.html

Wajima's lacquerware tradition stretching back 1,000 years is known the world over. We propose our lacquerware to urbanites who have moved away from using traditional lacquerware, especially women in their late 20s to early 50s who prefer high-quality tools, as well as wealthy Japanese and foreigners living overseas.

“Wajima Artisan Project” product lineup is bright, open and cute, while the “TOKIKA” brand is chic, gorgeous and cool. The products are high-quality and made of natural wood and lacquer, representing the sincere, hard work of craftsmen concentrating on every moment.

Lacquerware production developed in Wajima because of its abundant trees, including keyaki, ate and urushi. The first products were said to be bowls and trays presented to temples and shrines. Later during the late Edo era, sales spread to farmers and traders. In the Meiji era, restaurants and inns started to use Wajima lacquerware, and now sold nationally. The “Wajima Artisan Project” will promote goods at home, while “TOKIKA” overseas and in Japan.

Utilized local resource: Wajima lacquerware
Traditional skills have been passed down through generations. The key to Wajima lacquerware is the “Honkenchi” technique. It starts by covering the raw wood with cloth. Strengthening the edge and the vulnerable parts, a base coating is created with quality local finely-powdered mineral (Jinoko). Its unique tenderness, soft and deep gloss and shape are created through multiple coatings, the secret to its robustness. More than 100 steps and many craftsmen are involved until the final lacquerware comes into being.

(As of 2008)