March 16, 2021

Tamamushi-nuri is a lacquer craft born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. The name "Tamamushi-nuri" is derived from the fact that its rich color tone, which changes slightly depending on the light, resembles the wings of a jewel beetle.

Tamamushi-nuri is a lacquer craft born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. The name "Tamamushi-nuri" is derived from the fact that its rich color tone, which changes slightly depending on the light, resembles the wings of a jewel beetle. Another important feature of this Tamamushi-nuri is that it is a patented technology that was originally developed as a national policy.

It was developed for export in 1932 at the National Research Institute of Industrial Arts (NRIIA), which was established in Sendai as the country's first attempt. At the time, they were looking for new possibilities for lacquer work that was different from what they had seen before, in terms of color, design, and texture, all of which would meet the tastes of people overseas. Consequently, a unique technique was developed in which silver powder is sprinkled on the surface and transparent lacquer with dye is applied over it.

By adopting this technique, it is now possible to produce vivid colors and brilliance that were never been seen in lacquerware before. In 1985, it was designated as a traditional craft by Miyagi Prefecture, and is still popular as a Sendai specialty.

Today, Tamamushi-nuri products that fit today's lifestyles are being produced using this technology.

Touch Classic's Shuki Set
https://www.shokunin.com/en/touchclassic/shuki.html
Touch Classic's Glass
https://www.shokunin.com/en/touchclassic/glass.html
Tohoku Kogei's Tamamushi-nuri Nuts Bowl
https://www.shokunin.com/en/tohoku/nutsbowl.html
Ginza Showroom (Open from 9:00-18:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References:
http://www.t-kogei.co.jp/tamamushinuri/
https://www.pref.miyagi.jp/soshiki/shinsan/16tamamusi.html

March 16, 2021

The beautiful matte texture of the unmelted snow glaze was created by the fourth generation potter, Mr. Ryochi Niwa, based on the image of snowy landscapes left on mountains in spring.

Hirashimizu ware of Seiryugama is made in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City.

Hirashimizu ware is one of the "Four Great Old Kilns" in Yamagata Prefecture, which refers to the four kiln villages with a particularly long history in the prefecture. There are various theories about the origin of the kiln, and some legends say that it was introduced by Jikaku Daishi in the Heian period, but according to records, it started around the beginning of the 19th century when potters from other places were invited to work in the kiln using clay from the nearby Chitose Mountain.

The beautiful matte texture of the unmelted snow glaze was created by the fourth generation potter, Mr. Ryochi Niwa, based on the image of snowy landscapes left on mountains in spring.

It will not be colored by curry rice or tomato sauce, but it may have a crack pattern, which is characteristic of pottery. At first glance, it looks like a crack, but it is not a break, but a result of the difference in shrinkage rate between clay and glaze during firing.

When used for a long time, pigments may appear in the crack pattern, and many customers like this as a sign that the vessel has been used for a long time.

It's almost time for the butterbur to emerge from the remaining snow. Let's enjoy the cold weather for a little while longer.

Seiryugama's Bowls and Teacup are now in stock again.
https://www.shokunin.com/en/seiryu/hachi.html (Bowl)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/seiryu/yunomi.html (Teacup)

References:
https://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/shicho/jiman/jiman202003.html
http://seiryugama.com/青龍窯について-2/

March 15, 2021

When customers visit our Ginza showroom, they look at our product shelves and say, "It looks cool" or "It has a certain flavor." These are actually old wooden boxes for apples.

When customers visit our Ginza showroom, they look at our product shelves and say, "It looks cool" or "It has a certain flavor." These are actually old wooden boxes for apples.

The apple-shaped baby food dishes that are currently in the wooden boxes are made from apple trees that have already served their purpose. Apple trees are usually disposed of after they served their roles, except for the part used as firewood, but now the food dishes utilize these apple trees in Hirosaki, Japan's largest apple-producing city, as part of a zero-emission initiative to not only eat the fruit, but also carefully use the trunk until the end.

Each apple dish is handcrafted to fit the mother's hand. Its cylindrical shape makes it easy to hold, and it looks very cute. The spoon is also designed to have a thick handle so that the back of the spoon can be used to grind the fruit and so that it is easier for babies to hold.

This item became a hot topic of conversation when it was sent as a baby-birth gift to the British royal family, Prince William and Catherine. It is a perfect gift item.

Kimura Mokuhin's Ringokko Set
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kimuramokuhin/
Ginza Showroom (Open from 9:00-18:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

Shokunin.com Blog

March 2021

Tamamushi-nuri is a lacquer craft born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. The name "Tamamushi-nuri" is derived from the fact that its rich color tone, which changes slightly depending on the light, resembles the wings of a jewel beetle.

The beautiful matte texture of the unmelted snow glaze was created by the fourth generation potter, Mr. Ryochi Niwa, based on the image of snowy landscapes left on mountains in spring.

When customers visit our Ginza showroom, they look at our product shelves and say, "It looks cool" or "It has a certain flavor." These are actually old wooden boxes for apples.