Home to One of Japan’s Four Largest Lacquer-producing Areas
Kuroe town remains well-known as the center for Kishu lacquerware production. Synonymous is lacquerware with Japan that in bygone days, it was known as “japan” to the western world, just as porcelain was known as “china.” Kuroe in Wakayama Prefecture is home to one of Japan’s four largest lacquer-producing areas. The old-fashioned town still celebrates this centuries-old artistry today.
Made in Kuroe, Kishu shikki is lacquerware known for its simplicity, durability and practicality. The ever-popular negoro-nuri is finished in vermilion lacquer but reveals the black undercoating. Embracing modernity, this lacquerware now includes plastic versions as well. Seeing the glossy luster of polish on a smoothly carved wooden dish, it doesn’t take a connoisseur to see that creating lacquerware takes sophisticated artistry and skill. These artisanal creations, known as urushinuri, have a rich cultural heritage and exemplify Japan’s reverence for craftsmanship. You can see it showcased most commonly when the finished objects contain traditional Japanese foods.
Please stroll around the Uruwashikan area to discover old merchant houses and the shops that are set among them. To get an overview of what is on offer visitors should come to the Uruwashi-kan, the Kishu lacquerware traditional industry center. There is a large showroom with a great variety of Kishu lacquerware items on display, and or purchase. A small museum on the upper floor explains more about the history of Kishu shikki. Here you can look and shop.
Made in Kuroe, Kishu shikki is lacquerware known for its simplicity, durability and practicality. The ever-popular negoro-nuri is finished in vermilion lacquer but reveals the black undercoating. Embracing modernity, this lacquerware now includes plastic versions as well. Seeing the glossy luster of polish on a smoothly carved wooden dish, it doesn’t take a connoisseur to see that creating lacquerware takes sophisticated artistry and skill. These artisanal creations, known as urushinuri, have a rich cultural heritage and exemplify Japan’s reverence for craftsmanship. You can see it showcased most commonly when the finished objects contain traditional Japanese foods.
Please stroll around the Uruwashikan area to discover old merchant houses and the shops that are set among them. To get an overview of what is on offer visitors should come to the Uruwashi-kan, the Kishu lacquerware traditional industry center. There is a large showroom with a great variety of Kishu lacquerware items on display, and or purchase. A small museum on the upper floor explains more about the history of Kishu shikki. Here you can look and shop.
