Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture is located at the Northern end of Noto Peninsula in the center of the Sea of Japan. The town is famous for fine Japanware and a morning market that has taken place for over 1000 years, beginning in the Heian period (eighth - twelfth century). Wajima city has also been in the new recently because of an earthquake which occurred on March 25, 2007.
The history of Japanware dates back to products produced over 6800 years ago which have been excavated from ancient remains located on the Noto Peninsula. The origin of contemporary Wajima Japanware dates back to Muromachi period (fourteen - sixteen century). The “honkataji” technique of applying “jinoko” powder, made from the burned diatom soil, differentiates Wajima from other lacquerware, and helps absorb the Urushi lacquer to make a solid core. The use of “nunokise” (pasting cloth onto fragile spots) to reinforce the wooden core is another important technique used in producing Wajima Japanware which maintain both its beauty and solidness. The prodcution process is surprisingly divided into very small parts. For a single piece of Japan’s finest Urushi lacquerware to be fully completed takes skilled artisans over 124 steps.
Wajima Kirimoto (Kirimoto Mokkosho) :
Taichi Kirimoto, the third generation lineage holder of Kirimoto Mokkosho (founded in the early Showa period) has established his own brand “Wajima Kirimoto.” He has produced a wide range of Urushi products including tableware, furniture and stationery which are easy to handle and full of sensibility. He has said “we do our best to produce eco-friendly products. We hope many people will become more familiar with Urushi, and Urushi lacquerware will be adopted again in the daily lives of people everywhere.” He has aggressively pursued collaborations with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton.
The history of Japanware dates back to products produced over 6800 years ago which have been excavated from ancient remains located on the Noto Peninsula. The origin of contemporary Wajima Japanware dates back to Muromachi period (fourteen - sixteen century). The “honkataji” technique of applying “jinoko” powder, made from the burned diatom soil, differentiates Wajima from other lacquerware, and helps absorb the Urushi lacquer to make a solid core. The use of “nunokise” (pasting cloth onto fragile spots) to reinforce the wooden core is another important technique used in producing Wajima Japanware which maintain both its beauty and solidness. The prodcution process is surprisingly divided into very small parts. For a single piece of Japan’s finest Urushi lacquerware to be fully completed takes skilled artisans over 124 steps.
Wajima Kirimoto (Kirimoto Mokkosho) :
Taichi Kirimoto, the third generation lineage holder of Kirimoto Mokkosho (founded in the early Showa period) has established his own brand “Wajima Kirimoto.” He has produced a wide range of Urushi products including tableware, furniture and stationery which are easy to handle and full of sensibility. He has said “we do our best to produce eco-friendly products. We hope many people will become more familiar with Urushi, and Urushi lacquerware will be adopted again in the daily lives of people everywhere.” He has aggressively pursued collaborations with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton.
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