The Making ofUrushi Lacquerware in Aizu

Contents
The History of Aizu Lacquerware
The History of our campany
Making the shape
Foundation layer process

1122Application layer process
Decorating techniques
Contact us

344

The History of Aizu Lacquerware

Lacquerware craft was first established in Aizu as a local industry in l590 by Ujisato Gamo, who was thefeudal lord of Aizu. He brought in lathe and lacquer painting experts from his previous domain of Hino
(currently Shiga Prefecture) to teach the skills of the craft to the people of Aizu. Lacquerware craft flourishedin Aizu during this time with developments ranging from the creation of lacquer tree plantations to refinementin the decorative arts of lacquerware.
During the foIIowing Edo period, the successive Aizu lord, Masayuki Hoshina, made special efforts toprotect and foster the lacquer trees. Each successive Aizu lord worked to advance lacquerware craft, withthe height of the industry being marked by exports of lacquerware to China and Holland. However, during
the end of the Edo period, the Boshin Civil War caused the almost complete destruction of Aizu and itslacquerware industry.
The Meiji period saw the rebuilding of the lacquerware industry go hand-in-hand with the rebuilding of Aizu.
By the middle of the Meiji period, Aizu had earned the reputation as one of the most famous lacquerwareproducing cities in the country. The art and industry continues to grow as new technology is integrated into
the 400-year old lacquerware tradition.

The History of our campany

Shirokiya Lacquerware Co., Ltd. was established during the Kyoho era (1716-1736). Since then we havebeen making beautiful and durable lacquerware, and we are making much effort to add some enhanced
style to the traditional works.
Awards: Exposition Universelle 1900 Paris France

bronze medal

Exposition Universelle 1904 Saint-Louis USA silver medal
Exposition Universelle 1905 Liège Belgium gold medaletc.

-1-

"The creation of a single structure requires many kinds of planes. It is important to theprospective user on mind when create the basic structure." (wooden plane structure specialist)

Making the shape(box type)

Wood from the Ho tree
(Magnolia family) and topquality Shina plywood isevaluated and ried thoroughly.
The parts to be used in the finalproduct are cut out and planed.

The parts are assembled into a"Sumigi” (slender wooden stakes)
are placed in the four corner in order
to secure the structure.
The box is planed to create rounded
corners and edges .

A basic three-tiered box
structure is completed and thebottom of each tier are fittedwith “San” (slender woodenpieces) in order to keep all thepieces on top of each other.

Making the shape(bowl type)

Wood from Zelkova andHorse Chestnut trees iscut into the approximate
shape of a bowl and driedthoroughly to prevent
warping.
The dried bowl is shaved on a lathe.

Foundation layer-2-An undercoat of raw lacquer isapplied to cover the grain. This
process is called “Kigatame”.

A paste of lacquer and special clay powder is applied inorder to strengthen the structure. This process is called“Shitaji”.
The box is carefully sanded to prepare for the next
application of lacquer.

Urushi : lacquer, a naturally-occurring sap taken from the Urushi tree

Application layer

The first application layer called "Shita-nuri"
The next layer of lacquer is applied in a process
called "Naka-nuri".
On each layer bowls and boxes are sanded and lacquer isapplied onto the smooth surface.

"Dust is the worst enemy in the acquerapplication procedure.
We are very careful with dust control. Even our own family
member aren't allow to enter the room. " (bowl lacquer
application specialist)

Lacquer is applied for thethirdand final time (“Uwa-nuri”).

-3-Decorating Techniques
Makie

Kin-ji

Patterns are painted with lacquer and thenembossed with gold and silver powders as well as
coloured powders such as red yellow and blue.

Urushie

Kin-ji is a type of ground decoration on urushi
vessel, used to create a luxurious effect, hasbeen developed by makie-craftsmen particularlyin Aizu.
They use Keshi-fun which is very fine powder
made by crushing a dried mixture of gold foil
and glucose and then rinsing away the latter
ingredient.
The powder is dusted over the semi-dry lacquerof the vessel. When this layer of lacquer hasdried, another layer is applied to coat the goldenpowder.

Chinkin
The surface is engraved with a fine edged knife andgold foil is embedded into the groove.

Various designs and patterns are painted using
a brush and coloured lacquer (a mixture oflacquer and coloured powder)

Shirokya Lacquerware Co.,Ltd.
1-2-10 Omachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan 965-0042

Tel: +81-242-22-0203 Fax: +81-242-25-3977
E-mail: info@shirokiyashikkiten.com Web site: http://shirokiya.biz-4-4-