The soul of Japanese craftsmanship, the infinite possibilities of Wajima-nuri

The traditional craft of Urushi-nuri in Wajima City, Ishikawa, has been passed down for thousands of years. Unfortunately, many craftsmen were lost in the devastating earthquake on January 1, 2024. Despite this tragedy, their indomitable spirit endures. The beauty and potential of Wajima-nuri, along with the strong passions of the specialists, inspire these craftsmen to rebuild this prestigious local art form.

About Wajima-nuri

Wajima-nuri is renowned as one of the three great lacquerwares of Japan. Thanks to the abundant lacquer trees grown in Wajima City, this craft has flourished, with its history dating back to the Muromachi period. The local craft has been meticulously preserved through strict standards.

Charm of Wajima-nuri

All Wajima-nuri products are created through over a hundred intricate processes, each requiring skilled specialists. These detailed procedures ensure the comfort and quality of the item. Professionals at each stage carefully handle and interact with each piece of lacquerware, ultimately producing a harmonious blend of durability and warmth.

Pristine craftsmen and passions for Wajima-nuri

Despite the industry’s decline, many dedicated craftsmen continue to pour their passion into preserving this traditional craft.

Reina Shimada (Makie Lacquer Art Craftsman)

Reina Shimada was a young craftsman specializing in the lacquer art of Makie. Though the massive earthquake took her physical presence, her strong spirit remains vividly alive. She dedicated herself to the craft with the hope that more people would develop an interest in this traditional art and envision a bright future for it by discovering something new through its rich heritage.

Taiichi Kirimoto (President of WAJIMA KIRIMOTO)

The Kirimoto family has been dedicated to making Wajima lacquerware for over 200 years, running the company WAJIMA KIRIMOTO. Their core philosophy is to produce items for everyday use, a concept that influences every stage of their process, which they handle entirely in-house. They focus not only on comfort, functionality and appearance but also on creating items that evoke a deep sense of warmth and comfort in those who use them.

Suzanne Ross (Lacquer artist)

Suzanne Ross’s artistic journey with Wajima lacquerware began when she encountered the craft at an exhibition in her hometown of London. She then came to Japan to learn about lacquer and has since continued her work as a lacquer artist. Suzanne defines Wajima-nuri as the act of touching beauty that emerges from the lacquer, equating it to cherishing ourselves. Believing that accessibility is important, she focuses on creating casual items, such as accessories, to help people feel more connected to this traditional craft.

Each person has a unique perspective on Wajima-nuri, but they all share a common goal: to preserve the tradition while believing in the boundless potential of Wajima-nuri.

Ways to experience the charm of Wajima-nuri

You might be curious about how to truly appreciate this art form. Here are three ways to discover its charm:

Factory tour

More than 50 factories are registered on this website (in Japanese). Why not visit one that catches your interest?

Visit shops

WAJIMA KIRIMOTO has a store in the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo. Additionally, their items are available at various shops nationwide.

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Hands-on experience

Would you like to try your hand at some of the processes involved in Wajima-nuri? There are several opportunities to make that wish come true.

1. Painting on lacquerware and carving patterns
Wajima Kobo Nagaya offers visitors the opportunity to experience the charms of lacquer through workshop tours and hands-on production activities.

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2. Day plan to discover Japanese culture through Wajima-nuri
The plan at Wajimanuri Studio RAKU offers authentic experiences, you can truly sense the essence of Japanese wabi-sabi, as well as the craftsmanship and dedication of the artisans. Due to their regular production activities, the available dates, number of participants and plan for RAKU experiences are limited.

Wajima-nuri represents a significant hope for revitalizing the local community. Incorporating this locally crafted product, imbued with the passion of each expert, not only supports the artisans but also allows you to rediscover the charm of this traditional craft and enrich your daily life.