HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Other prefectures Fukui Explore Japan's rich history of lacquerwork at Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall
Explore Japan's rich history of lacquerwork at Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall

Explore Japan's rich history of lacquerwork at Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall

Date published: 5 February 2020

To truly understand something, you must experience it for yourself. Many people love Japanese crafts, but it can be difficult to gain a deeper understanding of them because of their storied histories and intricate techniques. Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall in Kawada—which is part of Sabae City in Fukui Prefecture—offers a rare look into the fascinating world of Japanese lacquerware. The facility is much more than a simple museum; visitors can also meet and interact with lacquer artisans. These experiences are possible because the facility is spearheaded by craftspeople who belong to an organization known as the Echizen Lacquerware Cooperative, founded in 1980 to ensure fair wages and the high quality of Echizen lacquerware.

The 1,500-year story of Echizen lacquerware

You can buy everything from durable resin business-use lacquerware to traditional wood pieces featuring exquisite designs
You can buy everything from durable resin business-use lacquerware to traditional wood pieces featuring exquisite designs

Exhibits trace the history of Sabae City—and especially the Kawada area—as a hub of lacquerware development in Japan (English translations are available by simply scanning QR codes on your smartphone). The area's lacquerware development began in around 1500, when a local artisan repaired the broken crown of the Imperial Prince (and presented him with a beautiful bowl). The Prince was so delighted that he championed the development of the local lacquerware industry.

Compare the styles of each artisan
Compare the styles of each artisan

Locally produced lacquerware, known as Echizen lacquerware, has long been celebrated for its refined radiant luster and rich color schemes. In addition to traditional wooden lacquerware, the area also produces durable synthetic resin lacquerware. These hard-wearing goods account for over 80% of the lacquer used in Japan's domestic food industry, so there's a high probability you've used Echizen lacquerware if you've visited or lived in Japan.

This magnificent lacquerware festival float combines all the artisans' skills in a single work
This magnificent lacquerware festival float combines all the artisans' skills in a single work

Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall Vice Director Yutaka Okubo emphasizes the importance of the hall as an artisan-driven facility, saying: "Most lacquer artisans in Japan work from their studios, which are usually off-limits to visitors. But the artisans in the cooperative come here to do actual work, providing a glimpse into their world." The artisans all have their own specialty within the production process, which spans woodworking, lacquer application, and decoration. Visiting on different days allows you to meet a variety of artisans and see the different processes and decorative techniques."

Gain newfound appreciation for lacquerware with a maki-e master

Koichiro Tsukada has worked with lacquerware for more than 50 years
Koichiro Tsukada has worked with lacquerware for more than 50 years

Rather than a single artisan performing all the steps involved in creating a piece, Echizen lacquerware is broken down into different roles. Each artisan undertakes years of training to specialize in one step, then receives an associated title. In one of the hall's atelier spaces, Koichiro Tsukada paints obidome—decorative accessories for the obi belts of kimono. He introduces his craft without missing a beat, explaining that he is a makie-shi, specializing in maki-e decorations created by sprinkling gold or silver powder on lacquer pieces using a special brush.

Other lacquerware-artisan titles include kiji-shi (woodworking specialist), nuri-shi (lacquer application specialist), and chinkin-shi (inlaid gold decoration specialist). Koichiro and the other members of the cooperative are designated Traditional Artisans, a title bestowed after clearing stringent requirements including an exam, over 12 years of experience, and residence in certain production regions.

An obidome work in progress (left), and the finished article (right)
An obidome work in progress (left), and the finished article (right)

As a makie-shi, Koichiro is also responsible for creating his own designs for pieces, including bowls, trays, glasses, and watches. He draws them on paper, which he references as he works. He's noticed that Westerners tend to prefer small, simple designs on a wide expanse of solid color, until, that is, they visit the hall. "It's hard to appreciate the art you're looking at when you don't understand it," he says. "Don't you sometimes feel that way when you go to museums? But if you have a proper explanation, you can appreciate it. You learn to love it."

Mirrors decorated with flowers
Mirrors decorated with flowers

Koichiro especially enjoys creating pieces featuring shiki no hana (seasonal flowers). A culture of celebrating the seasons and their associated flowers has long flourished in Japan. Koichiro has created a series of mirrors with the associated flower for each month in Japan, as well as the putative personality type traditionally associated with people born that month. The mirrors make lovely gifts as they showcase Japanese culture.

Create your own lacquerware with help from a chinkin specialist

Learn from master artisans, including Mitsugu Sasaki (center)
Learn from master artisans, including Mitsugu Sasaki (center)

Try working with lacquerware yourself at one of the hall's workshops. Each workshop is taught by an artisan from the Echizen Lacquerware Cooperative who specializes in a specific skill. Choose from e-tsuke (drawing), chinkin (carving), or fuki-urushi (lacquer application and wiping). Mitsugu Sasaki is one of four chinkin-shi artisans who teach the chinkin workshop.

Choose your design and decide where to place it
Choose your design and decide where to place it
Trace the design using a pencil
Trace the design using a pencil
Watch the instructor demonstrate how to use the chisel, then chisel over your pencil marks
Watch the instructor demonstrate how to use the chisel, then chisel over your pencil marks
After gold powder has been added, wipe it away to reveal your gold-dusted design
After gold powder has been added, wipe it away to reveal your gold-dusted design

Mitsugu has more than 60 years of experience working with lacquerware, following in his father and grandfather's footsteps. He'll guide you through the steps of applying a chinkin design on a small lacquer mirror or plate using a special chisel.

A mirror and small dish made with help from Mitsugu
A mirror and small dish made with help from Mitsugu

It's an eye-opening insight into a very difficult technique. If you're a little disappointed with your efforts, don't worry—Mitsugu will add a few deft strokes to your work and transform it into a pretty piece perfect as a gift or for decorating your home.

  • Echizen Lacquerware Cooperative
    越前漆器協同組合(うるしの里会館 )
    • Address 40-1-2 Nishibukuro-cho, Sabae, Fukui
    • Program: Lacquerware-making
      Business hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
      Closed: Fourth Tuesday of each month (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a national holiday); Dec. 29–Jan. 1
      Fees (tax included): 1,500 yen for painting program (e-tsuke); 2,000 yen for carving program (chinkin); 2,500 yen for applying/wiping program (fuki-urushi)
      Requirements: Reservations must be made at least two days in advance (minimum of two people; maximum of nine). For groups of 10 people of more, reservations must be made at least 10 days in advance. Please note that there may be times when the venue is not available due to special events, etc.
      Languages available: Japanese/Basic English
      Email: info1@echizen.or.jp

Enjoy lunch surrounded by beautiful lacquerware

Eating at a lacquer table so glossy you can see your reflection
Eating at a lacquer table so glossy you can see your reflection

A meal at the on-site Wanwan Cafe is the perfect way to finish your visit to the hall. The cafe brims with shining lacquerware, including the plates, chopsticks, cutlery, tables, and decorations. Many of the pieces, especially the plates and coffee cups, are available for purchase in the gift shop, making the cafe an ideal spot to "try before you buy."

Green curry with yama-uni topping
Green curry with yama-uni topping

The stylishly plated main dishes include local favorites like udon, soba noodles, rice bowls, and green curry with an assortment of side dishes such as tempura, salad, eggplant, and pickled vegetables. Try the local delicacy, yama-uni, a spicy red paste made with yuzu citrus fruit and red pepper. Mix a dollop into your meal for a unique spicy citrus kick.

  • Echizen Lacquerware Traditional Industry Hall
    うるしの里会館 (越前漆器伝統産業会館)
    • Address 40-1-2 Nishibukuro-cho, Sabae, Fukui
    • Business hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
      Price per person: Free of charge
      Artisan Performance: 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Varies depending on performance.
      Closed: Fourth Tuesday of each month
      Languages available: English/Japanese

      Wanwan Cafe
      Business hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
      Closed: Tuesdays
      Languages available: Japanese

Echizen lacquerware: steeped in history, striving for modernity

Lacquerware artisans are often responsible for a single step in the production process
Lacquerware artisans are often responsible for a single step in the production process

Artisans often undertake different steps in the lacquerware-making process. For example, Tsuchinao lacquerware is created by professional craftsmen who each complete a different part of the process. Young staff work under the supervision of expert technicians and craftsmen, learning traditional techniques and creating new products—often with a fresh approach. Creating attractive pieces that reflect the modern age—such as umbrella-shaped bottles and tumblers—allows those unfamiliar with lacquerware to enjoy the beauty of the craft, too. You can visit the Tsuchinao Shikki Corporation to find out more about how they create such beautiful work.

  • Tsuchinao Shikki Corporation
    土直漆器
    • Address 6-1-2 Katayama-cho, Sabae, Fukui
    • Business hours: 9 a.m. - 6p.m.
      Closed: Sundays, second Saturday of each month, summer season, New Year holidays
      Languages available: Japanese/Basic English

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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