• 

  Shop

  Legend has it that the people of Wajima learned lacquerware techniques from the priests of Negoro-ji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture, who fled their home after the samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi burned it to the ground. While there’s no direct evidence to back up that particular tale, there are artifacts that show lacquer being used in Wajima as early as the 14th century. They say the secret to Wajima lacquerware’s durability is a mineral called jinoko, found in the local soil and applied as a base coat.

  What we found:

  

  Chise Yamanaka Lacquer Bowl

  GO

  $110.00

  

  Kiku Yamanaka Lacquer Bowl

  GO

  $110.00

  

  Matsu Wooden Yamanaka Lacquer Bowl

  GO

  $115.00

Photography by Hajime Kimura