Japanese Lacquerware, Japanese Traditional Crafts
Simple and Premium. Lacquerware Made of Finest Lacquer for Everyday Use – Jōhōji Lacquerware
Jun
(Image: tadanosuke.jp)
(Image: iwatekensan.co.jp)
(Image: HamaZo)
It might be an unfortunate news for fan of beautiful Japan lacquerware…
More than 98% of lacquer which is being used in Japan lacquerware is imported from China. This means, only less than 2% of lacquer is made in Japan. Within this, one of the main domestic producer of Japan lacquer is Jōhō Temple, Iwate prefecture, and it makes about 60% of national lacquer. Lacquerware which are made in around Jōhō Temple is called Jōhōji lacquerware.
Regardless of Simple Look, It Takes Over 30 Complex Making Steps
Although Jōhōji lacquerware is very simple, it takes around 30 steps to make them! Those 30 steps of process start from preparing wood as a raw material to decoration (steps to paint a picture or pattern). So why it takes so many steps to complete an only one lacquerware?
Main reasons are a) as for Japanese traditional lacquerware craft, the texture can be different even with little thickness or size change, and b) craftsman confirms the distinctive feel of lacquer and each step are handmade in order to create top quality of lacquerware.
Those complex steps are explained as simple as possible in below of this article.
Making Process of Jōhōji Lacquerware
1. Wood Compaction
Immerse plenty of raw lacquer to wood which is going to be used as raw material in lacquerware. It is important step to prevent from stretching and to make it waterproof for lacquerware.
2. Under Coating
Paint lacquerware as undercoat with mixture of purified lacquer and red iron oxide.
3. Polishing
After the painting undercoat, waterproof paper and grindstone are used to polish it for improving adhesion of the lacquer on smooth surface and increasing strength.
4. Intermediate Coating
To make lacquer only layer, painting and polishing steps are repeated over 6 times.
5. Overcoating
In order to make purified and to clean Jōhōji lacquerware without any dirt and dust, it is overcoated in special clean overcoating room.
Vermillion lacquerware have gone through those many complex steps for becoming this simple and beautiful craft.
That is why, “this lacquerware becomes friend of your hand” by showing unique glossy through everyday use, which had a moist texture of new typical lacquer at the first place.
In Conclusion
Jōhōji lacquerware is most definitely one of the kitchenware you want to use everyday for your meal if you like Japan culture. In my opinion using traditional thing everyday from country is the closest experience of the country’s culture. And Jōhōji lacquerware is perfect for this. Simplicity and soft texture feeling definitely will not go away by using Jōhōji lacquerware. And it is very surprising that this simple lacquerware goes through over 30 complex steps to become our everyday use. Each and every meal will become more delicious just by using Jōhōji lacquerware because of its handiness of handing and gentle taste.
Author - huchka
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