IDEAS FOR GOODAlthough the nationwide state of emergency has been lifted in Japan due to the spread of COVID-19, staying at home has become a new normal for many of us. Spending weeks at home can be monotonous, and even overwhelming at times.
In this difficult time, adding colorful dishware to your dinner table could brighten up your day, giving you a fresh sense of comfort. Motivated by this idea, Senshudo, a Japanese Wajima-Nuri lacquerware brand, launched a free dishware rental service under the name of “Ouchi jikan wo motto tanoshiku keikaku (“Let’s make the stay-at-home period fun”) project. Wajima-Nuri is a type of Japanese lacquerware known for its luminosity and durability, which originated in Wajima-city, Ishikawa.
I spoke with Yugo Okagaki, the director of Okagaki Shikkiten, the company which owns Senshudo, to find out more about what this lacquerware project has to offer.
Senshudo recommends lacquerware based on your lifestyle
Anyone can join this project simply by sending some details in an email about things like family situation and individual stay-at-home activities. Senshudo will then mail you a set of Wajima dishware that could fit into your lifestyle. While you will have to cover the cost of return shipping, you can keep the dishware for free until COVID-19 ends. The type of dishware includes confection plates, trays, small plates and small bowls that the brand has in excess. These are often made as prototypes, or used as samples. You’re not obligated to purchase these items, but you can purchase them at a discounted rate if you wish.
In my email to Senshudo, I wrote that I live with my partner and my 3-year-old daughter, and I often cook and like drinking. In return, the lacquerware package from Senshudo came with the following: small black serving plates that are perfect for sashimi or Japanese sweets, mild emerald green dishes that are suitable for teatime snacks and a square wooden measuring cup for my 3-year-old. This package also came with a letter saying that “children around your daughter’s age might already start showing interest in meal preparation and serving.” This personalized dish set, arranged based on the brief explanation of my lifestyle, piqued my interest. At the same time, it gave me a sense of ease that I was missing during this difficult time.
The story behind this rental lacquerware project
I asked Okagaki, the project leader from Okagaki Shikkiten, about the story behind this “Let’s make the stay-at-home period fun” project.
He says that there are two things that motivated him. One is that he became interested in the idea of sending uplifting messages to families who spend more time together during this self-quarantine period. He explains that negative coverage about interpersonal relationships in the time of COVID-19 caught his attention. It includes companies struggling to maintain effective communications with employees and families facing a crisis from being in constant close proximity to each other. He thought that introducing Senshudo’s colorful dishes to these people would provide a breath of fresh air to them, especially for those who aren’t familiar with traditional Japanese lacquerware.
Okagaki is also hoping to attract new lacquerware fans through this project. He is working on an SDGs project that supports the production of Japanese lacquer and young lacquer extraction workers. Japanese lacquer is a natural substance made from the sap of the Urushi tree. While lacquer is one of the crucial materials in many traditional crafts and architecture in Japan, the industry depends on imports from China. Domestic production of lacquer only accounts for 2% of total demand in the country. The industry is also facing a decline in lacquer product sales, so he thought that the free rental of lacquerware could help promote the charm of this traditional craft to a wider audience. He says, “The perception of lacquerware items being expensive and only available at high-end stores might be reasons for the decline in sales.” He also adds that, “This project is dedicated to people who don’t think they can take care of lacquerware very well.”
Lacquerware is often perceived to be extremely delicate or difficult to maintain, but lacquerware items are actually durable and resistant to heat, moisture, acid and alkalinity. Okagaki supports this, “Basically, lacquerware dishes can handle anything except dishwashers and microwaves. When washing, apply a PH neutral dish soap on the soft side of the sponge, and rub it gently across the dirty dishes. After rinsing them, you can dry the dishes with a towel while they’re still wet.” This is because keeping the lacquerware moist is the best way to maintain its quality. He also explains that lacquerware can even resist hot oily food such as tempura and stir-fry. However, if you aren’t comfortable with this, you can start off serving room temperature or cold food and see how much the dishes can take.
Even if you scratch or chip the dishes during the rental period, you won’t be charged for any repair costs. Rental dishes will be shipped to your address with usage instructions, but you can use them just like any other dishes you have at home.
As for Okagaki, he uses lacquerware dishes for his everyday meals. “As a huge sake fan, I like to serve food that goes well with my sake. I usually buy sashimi from supermarkets on my way home from work, or roast seasonal vegetables. Savoring sake with food that brings out the full flavor of the ingredients is something that makes me feel really peaceful and calm,” he tells us. “Serving snacks to children on the Wajima lacquerware is another thing I would like to recommend. When you observe your children carefully, you probably notice that they’re excited not only for the snack itself but also for the new dishware! I will be really happy if our Wajima lacquerware can provide a sense of excitement to the users.”
The production process of Wajima lacquerware spans multiple steps, all carried out by experienced craftspeople. It consists of wood base carving, polishing the surface, coating, decorating and adding gold and silver powder on top to add glossiness. “Given the fact that Wajima lacquerware is handmade by multiple artisans, its price naturally has to reflect authenticity and dedication. What I’m hoping is that this project would provide an opportunity for a wider audience to experience the smoothness and sophistication of handcrafted products. It isn’t a big deal if this project itself doesn’t make much profit. But I do believe that handcrafted products would touch the heart of anyone who uses them.”
Experiencing the ancient, eco-friendly technology of lacquerware
At the end of our conversation, he concluded, “I personally believe that Wajima lacquerware products have a soul. When you touch them, you can feel the dedication and passion of artisans who thrive on being leading figures in the Japanese lacquerware technique. I would say this project provides a great opportunity to experience the charm of the traditional craftsmanship.”
It is said that lacquering dates back to the Jomon period and is believed to be the oldest eco-friendly technology. It only required natural ingredients such as trees, lacquer and soil. Lacquerware gains natural sheen as you use it over time, and the base coating gets brighter. Even if it gets scratched or cracked, it can be easily fixed, and even if the coating comes off, it can easily be repainted.
When we trace our history, we can always learn from ancestral wisdom. The stay-at-home period may seem like monotonous downtime. However, how we spend it is really up to us. Why not learn about the history of lacquering and introduce yourself to traditional Japanese craftsmanship? This experience might give you new insight into your life and society as a whole after COVID-19.
How to sign up
Describe your family situation and at-home activities in one email to Okagaki Shikkiten: okagaki@senshudo-japan.com. You will receive a package of Wajima lacquerware free of charge, but you will have to cover the cost of return shipping. This project is limited to Japanese addresses.
Senshudo (Okagaki Shikkiten)
Known for producing the sake cups used at a banquet at the 2008 Hokkaido Toyako Summit (manufactured by Wajima Lacquerware Association of Commerce and Industry), the company is expanding its partnership with other Japanese manufacturing companies and is producing hangers, air purifiers and glasses cases. The company is also known for its 17-color bowl dish series “iro bachi.” Website: http://www.senshudo-japan.com/This article was originally published on IDEAS FOR GOOD.
Translated by Misato Noto.
