[Brighten Your Everyday Life with Beloved Lacquerware]
When it comes to lacquerware, I used to think things like “it seems expensive and hard to maintain” or “I'd have to handle it with great care,” which kept me from ever trying it. However, when I saw the “Hime Kobachi” from the Appi Urushi Studio at the showroom, I fell in love at first sight with its smoothness, beauty, and the practical size that seemed easy to use.
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, where the Appi Urushi Studio is located, lacquerware deeply rooted in daily life has been crafted since ancient times. Today, lacquerware often carries a strong image as “special tableware,” largely replaced by inexpensive, convenient plastic products. Yet, the Appi Urushi Studio strives to preserve the culture of lacquer without letting it fade. They create lacquerware that honors tradition while also fitting into modern lifestyles.
Using rare domestic lacquer, said to make up only 2% of Japan's total supply, the Appi Urushi Studio crafts durable, long-lasting pieces. Considering their quality, they aren't exactly affordable, but they're not prohibitively expensive either. Taking the plunge to incorporate them into your life will surely make your dining table more vibrant and colorful than ever...!
This small bowl is the perfect size for those moments when you just want a little something. But what truly makes my heart flutter is using it as a dessert cup. Its elegant presence feels like a step up, leaving you captivated. For instance, ice cream at home will surely taste even more delicious. Adding fruit to your breakfast yogurt might just let you start the day feeling a little more indulgent.
It also serves the perfect amount for thick soups like potage, neither too much nor too little. As autumn deepens, try this pumpkin potage: heat and soften pumpkin, mash it in a mortar, then cook it in Matsuyama Tokojo's Yukihira Pot #5.
Its height makes it perfect for serving soupy dishes, and its size is just right for drinks too. It doesn't get too hot, and it doesn't sweat much even with cold liquids, which is reassuring.
It's the kind of piece you want to use often, cherish, and grow with, not just for special occasions. As a lacquerware beginner, I find myself thinking daily that the Hime Kobachi is just right for me.
Appi Urushi Studio's Hime Kobachi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/appi/kobachi.html
Matsuyama Tokojo's Yukihira Pot #5
https://www.shokunin.com/en/matsuyama/
Honma Kazuo Shoten's Straw Pot Stand S
https://www.shokunin.com/en/honma/nabeshiki.html
Yamatada Katoen's JUJU mortier Mortar #6
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yamatada/suribachi.html
Azmaya's Wooden Pestle 210
https://www.shokunin.com/en/azmaya/surikogi.html
Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html
