Features of Kawatsura Lacquerware

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For 800 years in this land,
we have passed down a sincere artisanship of
grinding smoked-dried wood and applying urushi.

01

Smoke-Dry

Rough-carved pieces made from
domestic wood are smoked-dried over time.

Smoke-Dry

The culture that smokes everything,
even bowls

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional Japanese lacquerware made by carving domestic wood and smoking it slowly at low temperature over time. The process reduces warping and twisting that might lead to crack. The smoke also combines with the wood’s protein, making it stronger and protecting it from rot and insects.

Decoration Image
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Smoke-Dry

The culture that smokes everything,
even bowls

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional Japanese lacquerware made by carving domestic wood and smoking it slowly at low temperature over time. The process reduces warping and twisting that might lead to crack. The smoke also combines with the wood’s protein, making it stronger and protecting it from rot and insects.

Decoration Image
Decoration Image

01

Smoke-Dry

Rough-carved pieces made from
domestic wood are smoked-dried over time.

Smoke-Dry

The culture that smokes everything,
even bowls

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional Japanese lacquerware made by carving domestic wood and smoking it slowly at low temperature over time. The process reduces warping and twisting that might lead to crack. The smoke also combines with the wood’s protein, making it stronger and protecting it from rot and insects.

Decoration Image
Decoration Image
Smoke-Dry

The culture that smokes everything,
even bowls

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional Japanese lacquerware made by carving domestic wood and smoking it slowly at low temperature over time. The process reduces warping and twisting that might lead to crack. The smoke also combines with the wood’s protein, making it stronger and protecting it from rot and insects.

Decoration Image
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02

Hananuri
(flower coating)

Hananuri (flower coating), an advanced finishing technique.
Kawatsura lacquerware is characterized by its thick finishing coat.
The artisans apply urushi with skill and precision to create a smooth and glossy finish.

Hananuri <br class='uk-hidden@m'>(flower coating)

The beauty of the curves
created by the flow of urushi

The beauty of Kawatsura lacquerware is the “hananuri” technique, which is to apply a thick surface layer of urushi and finish it without polishing or burnishing, while predicting the flow of the urushi. The technique respects the natural lines and luster of urushi, creating a rich curve and a soft and plump texture with urushi.

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Hananuri <br class='uk-hidden@m'>(flower coating)

The beauty of the curves
created by the flow of urushi

The beauty of Kawatsura lacquerware is the “hananuri” technique, which is to apply a thick surface layer of urushi and finish it without polishing or burnishing, while predicting the flow of the urushi. The technique respects the natural lines and luster of urushi, creating a rich curve and a soft and plump texture with urushi.

Decoration Image
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02

Hananuri
(flower coating)

Hananuri (flower coating), an advanced finishing technique.
Kawatsura lacquerware is characterized by its thick finishing coat.
The artisans apply urushi with skill and precision to create a smooth and glossy finish.

Hananuri <br class='uk-hidden@m'>(flower coating)

The beauty of the curves
created by the flow of urushi

The beauty of Kawatsura lacquerware is the “hananuri” technique, which is to apply a thick surface layer of urushi and finish it without polishing or burnishing, while predicting the flow of the urushi. The technique respects the natural lines and luster of urushi, creating a rich curve and a soft and plump texture with urushi.

Decoration Image
Decoration Image
Hananuri <br class='uk-hidden@m'>(flower coating)

The beauty of the curves
created by the flow of urushi

The beauty of Kawatsura lacquerware is the “hananuri” technique, which is to apply a thick surface layer of urushi and finish it without polishing or burnishing, while predicting the flow of the urushi. The technique respects the natural lines and luster of urushi, creating a rich curve and a soft and plump texture with urushi.

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“Kawatsura is a town dedicated
to the production of bowls crafted
from natural woods.”

The Production Process of Kawatsura Lacquerware

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Wood

Wood is mainly sourced from broadleaf trees such as beech, Japanese horse chestnut, and katsura in the Ou Mountain Range.

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Wood cutting

The logs are roughly cut to approximate dimensions, avoiding knots and damaged areas in the material.

Rough grinding
or shaping

Using a lathe equipped with an iron template, the artisans carve the inside and outside surfaces of the wooden piece into approximate shape.

Smoke-drying

After boiling the rough-shaped piece of wood to remove the tannins, it is dried for one month in a room where smoke of waste material circulates.

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Final grinding
or shaping

Guided by the iron template attached to the lathe’s base, the artisans move the hand plane to shape the wood.

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Makiji and
Urushi-honkataji

In the undercoating process, raw urushi is directly applied to the wood to create a strong bottom layer.

Intermediate
coating
and final coating

After repeated applications and polishing of urushi during the intermediate coating process, the final coat is applied using Hana-nuri, a representative lacquer finishing technique of Kawatsura.
The final coating is left unpolished, resulting in a glossy texture that requires advanced skills in the smooth application of urushi.

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Lacquerware is a high-function practical container

It was used as a tiered food box for osechi, a traditional Japanese New Year’s cuisine, because of its antibacterial effect. It also has good heat insulation and makes food taste better.

漆器の1機能性

Insulating, heat-retaining,
and antibacterial function

Lacquerware is lightweight, durable, and has excellent insulating function. In addition to its heat-retaining property, which allow you to enjoy warm food deliciously, it is a practical container that also has the effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria. With its coating power and texture created from natural materials, it can be used for a variety of dishes on a daily basis at your usual dining table. Also, as you use it, the luster is added, the beauty increases, and it lasts for a long time.

Easy care

The reason Kawatsura lacquerware can be used as an everyday item is the simplicity of its care.
A lifetime use is possible with simple care.

Lacquerware Care

Two-step process:
Wash and Wipe

For cleaning, wash a piece with lukewarm water and wipe it with a soft cloth. You can also use a neutral detergent. If something like rice or mochi has stuck to a piece, soak it in lukewarm water for a short time without scrubbing, after which the food will fall off automatically, and then wash it to prevent damages on it.

Caution: Water and heat

Kawatsura lacquerware is made of wood, so avoid leaving it in water for a long time. It is also sensitive to high temperature, so do not ever place it in a dishwasher, dryer, microwave, or oven. Boiling soup or freshly fried tempura can cause the lacquer to discolor, so please be careful.

Tips for long time use

The best way for a long time use is to use it every day. Excessive drying can damage the wood, so using and washing it regularly will help the luster increase. And by storing it in a place away from direct sunlight, not leaving it in the refrigerator for long periods of time, and respecting its unique characteristics, you can use it for a long time.

Brand Developed by the Cooperative

This is an original brand of the lacquerware cooperative created by
new product development approached from various perspectives.

General Catalog Requests

TEL

+81(183)42-2410

Opening Hours 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

*Closed: From December 31 to January 5 (New Year holidays)

For orders of Kawatsura Lacquerware or to request a copy of our general
catalog by mail, please contact us by phone or through our inquiry form.

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