Kiso Lacquer Ware

It was the beginning of the 17th century when this craft got its start, very much founded on the plentiful supplies of local Japanese cypress for the production of carcasses for goods rich in local color. Subsequently the craft developed under firm patronage from the Owari Tokugawa clan through the Edo Period (1603-1868) and this craft became popular with those travelling along the Nakasendo Highway. At the end of the 19th century, sabitsuchi, an essential clay for a primer was discovered in the area, and this made it possible to produce a lacquer ware with a strength others could not boast.

A number of distinctive effects are used. Natural lacquer is rubbed into the wood for shunkei-nuri, so as to express the natural qualities of the base material. For tsuishu a number of layers of colored lacquer are applied before it is rubbed down to produce a speckled pattern. A number of different colors are used throughout a repeated design for nuriwake roiro-nuri. This craft is now sustained by 209 firms employing 950 people, 68 of which are government recognized Master Craftsmen.