Overview of producing areas Negoro-ji Negoro lacquerware

Overview

Along the prefectural border with Osaka Prefecture is an area of rich green hillocks. Negoro-ji Temple, once led by Buddhist warrior priests, boasted enormous power in the area. The temple has lent its name to the craft known as Negoro-ji Negoro lacquerware. These wooden utensils have an undercoating of black lacquer and a top coating of vermilion lacquer. With usage and the passage of years, portions of underlying black are gradually revealed as the vermilion partially wears away, exuding a charming shade. This beauty, born from enduring over the years, is praised as "the beauty of use."

Scenes of work

Utensils

Nearly all utensils, including spatulas made from Kiso hinoki cypress that resists warping even when wet, are hand-made by craftspeople. A solid base is produced using tools that adapt to the hand.

Nunokise (fabric covering)

The materials are lacquer and keyaki wood (Zelkova serrata), which takes lacquer well. Nunokise is the covering of edges and other weak portions with linen to increase strength.

The largest part of the process involves the base

Jinoko is mixed with unrefined lacquer sap, and the base is strengthened while the nunokise area is covered. Further rusting is applied using lacquer mixed with polishing powder. The largest part of the process is spent on the base.

Coating

The undercoat of black lacquer is applied three times. Coating, drying, polishing and coating are repeated. Vermilion lacquerware is synonymous with a luxury good.