Lacquer production areas in Japan are crucial in supporting the creation of traditional lacquerware crafts. From Joboji lacquer in Iwate Prefecture to areas in Ibaraki and Tochigi Prefectures, lacquer production takes place across the country. Lacquer is an essential material for lacquerware products and cultural property restoration.
However, in recent years, domestic lacquer production has decreased, and the industry continues to rely on imported lacquer. This article will explain in detail the relationship between Japan’s main lacquer production areas and the lacquerware industry, as well as the current state and challenges of domestic lacquer production.
What Are Lacquer Production Areas?
Lacquer production areas in Japan are indispensable for the creation of lacquer crafts and have supported regional culture and industry throughout a long history. Lacquer is processed from sap extracted from lacquer trees and is used to coat wooden products in layers to give them a beautiful luster and durability.
Japanese lacquer, in particular, is globally valued for its high quality and traditional techniques. Here, we’ll explain the importance of lacquer production areas in Japan.
The Importance of Lacquer Production Areas in Japan
Japan’s lacquer culture dates back about 9,000 years to the Jomon period. Lacquer has been used in various fields such as tableware, decorative items, and architecture due to its durability and antibacterial properties. Lacquerware particularly developed during the Edo period, with Yamanaka lacquerware and Aizu-nuri being representative examples.
Lacquer production areas in Japan are limited, with Joboji in Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, known as the largest domestic lacquer production area. In this region, lacquer production has been encouraged since the Edo period, with artisans cultivating lacquer trees and extracting lacquer using traditional methods.
Since only a small amount of lacquer can be harvested from a single tree, it is a very precious material, and the supply of domestic lacquer remains challenging even today. Currently, domestic lacquer production has decreased, and much of the lacquerware industry depends on Chinese lacquer.
On the other hand, domestic lacquer is essential for cultural property restoration and high-end crafts, and its demand remains high. Lacquer production areas are the foundation supporting Japan’s traditional culture and craft industry, and their maintenance and revival are future challenges.
Introduction to Japan’s Main Lacquer Production Areas
Lacquerware Production Areas
| Aomori Prefecture | Tsugaru-nuri |
| Akita Prefecture | Kawatsura lacquerware |
| Iwate Prefecture | Hidehira-nuri, Joboji-nuri |
| Miyagi Prefecture | Naruko lacquerware |
| Niigata Prefecture | Murakami wood-carved lacquerware, Niigata lacquerware |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Aizu-nuri |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Kamakura-bori, Odawara lacquerware |
| Nagano Prefecture | Kiso lacquerware |
| Gifu Prefecture | Hida Shunkei |
| Ishikawa Prefecture | Wajima-nuri, Yamanaka lacquerware, Kanazawa lacquerware |
| Toyama Prefecture | Takaoka lacquerware |
| Fukui Prefecture | Echizen lacquerware, Wakasa-nuri |
| Kyoto Prefecture | Kyoto lacquerware |
| Wakayama Prefecture | Kishu lacquerware |
| Yamaguchi Prefecture | Ouchi-nuri |
| Kagawa Prefecture | Kagawa lacquerware |
| Okinawa Prefecture | Ryukyu lacquerware |
23 lacquerware items designated as traditional crafts by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
There are several major lacquer production areas in Japan, which are essential for creating traditional crafts and restoring cultural properties. Here, we’ll focus on introducing Iwate Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, and Tochigi Prefecture, which are particularly famous as lacquer production areas.
Iwate Prefecture “Joboji Lacquer”: Japan’s Largest Lacquer Production Area
First is Joboji lacquer from Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan’s largest lacquer production area. The main characteristics of Joboji lacquer harvested in Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, are as follows:
- Produces about 75% of domestic lacquer
- High-quality lacquer used for cultural property restoration and crafts
- Registered under the Geographical Indication Protection System
This region consistently manages everything from lacquer tree care to lacquer extraction, serving as an important supply source accounting for about 75% of domestic lacquer.
Using traditional techniques dating back to the Edo period, lacquer extraction is carried out from June to November. The extracted lacquer is refined and used for restoring cultural properties such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Furthermore, in 2018, it was registered under the “Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System,” guaranteeing the high quality of Joboji lacquer compared to other lacquers.
Lacquer Production Areas in Ibaraki Prefecture
The second lacquer production area is Ibaraki Prefecture, said to be the second largest in Japan. Its main features are as follows:
- Ranks second in domestic lacquer production
- Characterized by highly transparent lacquer with a glossy luster
As the second-largest lacquer supply area after Iwate, lacquer production has been carried out here for a long time, with lacquer tappers continuing to preserve the tradition. Currently, lacquer tree planting and management are still being carried out, enabling stable lacquer production, which is a significant characteristic.
The lacquer from Ibaraki Prefecture, known as “Daigo Lacquer” harvested in Daigo Town, is famous for its high transparency and glossy luster. Due to its unique characteristics, it is used in lacquerware such as Wajima-nuri.
Lacquer Production Areas in Tochigi Prefecture
The third lacquer production area is Tochigi Prefecture. The lacquer harvested in Nakagawa Town and surrounding areas of Tochigi Prefecture is also called “Daigo Lacquer.”
Currently, although the production volume is smaller compared to Iwate and Ibaraki Prefectures, it is a valuable lacquer production area producing about 6% of Japan’s total domestic lacquer. Particularly, Daigo lacquer, which is also harvested in Ibaraki Prefecture, is used in high-end lacquerware such as Wajima-nuri and Shunkei-nuri. Therefore, not only the inheritance of traditional lacquer harvesting techniques but also efforts to preserve lacquer production areas will become important.
The Relationship Between Lacquer Production Areas and Lacquerware
Japan’s lacquerware industry heavily depends on the supply of lacquer from traditional production areas, and lacquer production areas are closely linked with lacquerware production areas. While there is an option to use imported lacquer instead of domestic, lacquer is a crucial material that determines beauty and durability, so its quality and supply volume directly affect lacquerware production.
Below, we introduce the lacquerware industry supported by domestic lacquer production areas and representative lacquerware that has developed through the supply of domestic lacquer.
Lacquerware Industry Supported by Lacquer Production Areas
The supply of lacquer is essential for the development of the lacquerware industry. Famous Japanese lacquerware production areas include Wajima-nuri (Ishikawa Prefecture), Echizen lacquerware (Fukui Prefecture), and Aizu-nuri (Fukushima Prefecture), and the lacquer used in each production area is a mix of both domestic and imported products.
Particularly in lacquerware production, the quality of lacquer determines the finish of the lacquerware. High-quality lacquer results in a strong coating and glossy finish, making good quality lacquer indispensable for lacquerware production.
Furthermore, lacquerware production areas and lacquer production areas have long been collaborating, creating a traditional flow where lacquer supplied from production areas is processed by lacquerware artisans’ skills into beautiful products in many regions.
Therefore, while many lacquerware products use imported lacquer, domestic lacquer is of very high quality, making stable supply a significant challenge for the future.
Main Lacquerware Production Areas and Their Lacquer Supply Relationships
There are many lacquerware production areas in Japan, each developing unique techniques and designs. Below are examples of representative lacquerware production areas and the renowned Japanese lacquerware produced there.
Wajima-nuri (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Wajima-nuri, located on the Noto Peninsula, is one of Japan’s representative lacquerware. Known for its robust construction, it uses local wood and lacquer. While local lacquer was used in the past, currently, Joboji lacquer and imported lacquer are mainly used.
Echizen Lacquerware (Fukui Prefecture)
With about 1,500 years of history, Echizen lacquerware is known as high-quality lacquerware used by the Imperial Family and temples. Echizen lacquerware making has developed using lacquer from within Fukui Prefecture and from other regions.
Especially in Ishikawa Prefecture, which produces the most domestic lacquer, representative Japanese lacquerware such as Wajima-nuri, Yamanaka lacquerware, and Kanazawa lacquerware are produced. This collaboration between lacquer production areas and lacquerware production areas is a relationship built over many years, and stable lacquer supply will be important for continuing to preserve Japan’s traditional crafts in the future.
Current State and Challenges of Domestic Lacquer
Domestic lacquer is an important resource indispensable for traditional crafts and cultural property restoration, but currently, its production volume has significantly decreased, facing various challenges. As dependence on imported lacquer increases, the revival and protection of domestic lacquer is becoming an urgent matter.
Demand for Domestic Lacquer is High, but Production Cannot Keep Up
Japan’s lacquer production volume once reached about 6,600 kilograms, but as of 2021, it has decreased to about 2,000 kilograms. This is due to the decrease and aging of lacquer tappers, resulting in a continued situation where domestic lacquer supply cannot keep up with demand.
Also, with the decrease in production volume, domestic lacquer has become very rare, and its price has risen due to its high quality. Especially since domestic lacquer is essential for cultural property restoration, while demand continues to increase, supply is insufficient, making the development of sustainable lacquer forests a major challenge.
Protection of Lacquer Production Areas and Technical Inheritance are Also Major Challenges
The technique of “lacquer tapping (urushi-kaki)” to extract lacquer is very advanced and is consistently performed by artisans. However, the aging of artisans and lack of successors have become serious problems, and efforts for technical inheritance are being made in various regions.
(Lacquer tapping refers to the process of making cuts in lacquer trees with a sickle to extract lacquer. People who do this as a profession are called lacquer tappers.)
For example, in Joboji lacquer in Iwate Prefecture, efforts are being made to train young artisans, establishing training systems to preserve and pass on techniques. Also, in domestic lacquer production areas, protection of lacquer forests and tree planting activities are being promoted, and activities to establish a sustainable lacquer production system for the next generation are also being carried out.
Especially in Joboji, activities are actively continuing to maintain lacquer forests and maintain a system to produce 1,700 kg of lacquer annually. The protection of domestic lacquer and technical inheritance are essential challenges for preserving Japan’s traditional culture, and the training of lacquer tappers and regeneration of lacquer forests will be important future initiatives.
Main Activities Lacquer Production Areas are Undertaking for the Future
Japan’s lacquer industry is advancing new developments for the future while considering environmental conservation and regional development. Here, we introduce how lacquer production areas are trying to develop through sustainable lacquer forest management and revitalization of local industries.
Environmental Conservation and Maintenance of Lacquer Forests
Environmental conservation is an important issue for ensuring sustainable lacquer production. Since the amount of lacquer that can be extracted from a single tree is very small, it is essential to maintain lacquer forests and pass on lacquer tapping techniques to the next generation.
Especially for lacquer forest management, planting lacquer trees and adjusting the felling cycle are necessary. For example, in production areas like Joboji lacquer in Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, protection of lacquer forests and planting of new trees are being carried out, advancing efforts to stabilize future lacquer supply.
Also, lacquer is a natural resin and does not use chemical substances, making it a material with low environmental impact. Lacquerware is also gaining attention as an alternative to plastic products, and its value as an environmentally friendly, sustainable material is being reevaluated.
Promotion of Lacquer Production Areas and Regional Development
For local lacquer production areas to develop, it is also important to revitalize local industries and expand domestic and international demand for domestic lacquer. Therefore, the following initiatives are currently being undertaken:
- Development of new industries and products utilizing lacquer
- Expansion of demand overseas
In addition to traditional lacquerware and cultural property restoration, efforts are being made to create items that can be used as interior accessories and daily items incorporating modern designs. Also, while the supply of domestic lacquer in Japan is very limited and mainly used for cultural property restoration, its quality is also appreciated in the international market.
Along with the promotion of local industries, efforts are being made to expand demand both domestically and internationally. Especially as the value of lacquerware as “long-lasting products” through repair and reuse is increasing, efforts are being made with an eye on exports not only domestically but also internationally.
Of course, while the training of young people and the inheritance of techniques are very important initiatives in lacquer production areas, creating products that meet domestic and international needs and promoting them are also becoming crucial.
Conclusion: Environmental Conservation is as Important as Human Resources for the Development of Lacquer Production Areas
In considering the development of lacquer production areas, environmental conservation, including the protection of lacquer forests, is a very important issue along with the training of human resources to inherit techniques. To ensure a sustainable supply of lacquer, it is essential to pass on lacquer tapping techniques and train young artisans, but at the same time, it is necessary to protect lacquer trees, which are the raw material for lacquer, and plan their planting and management.
Also, there is a possibility that lacquerware and other lacquer products will be reevaluated as environmentally friendly materials and grow as a sustainable industry in the future. To build the future of lacquer production areas, it can be said that it is essential for the natural environment and local communities to develop as one.
The development of lacquer production areas requires not only the cultivation of human resources to inherit techniques but also environmental conservation, including the protection of lacquer forests. To ensure a sustainable supply of lacquer, it is essential to pass on lacquer tapping techniques and train young artisans. At the same time, it’s crucial to protect lacquer trees, the raw material for lacquer, and systematically plant and manage them.
Moreover, lacquerware and other lacquer products are being reevaluated as environmentally friendly materials, showing potential for growth as a sustainable industry in the future. To build a future for lacquer production areas, it’s essential that the natural environment and local communities develop in harmony.
The challenges facing Japan’s lacquer industry are multifaceted, involving technical, environmental, and economic aspects. However, the efforts being made in various regions to preserve this traditional craft while adapting to modern needs demonstrate the resilience and innovative spirit of the industry.
By focusing on sustainable practices, nurturing new talent, and exploring new applications for lacquer, these production areas are not just preserving a traditional craft but are also paving the way for its evolution in the 21st century. The future of Japan’s lacquer industry lies in this delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation, all while maintaining a deep respect for the natural resources that make this art form possible.
As consumers and enthusiasts of Japanese crafts, we can support these efforts by appreciating the value of authentic, sustainably produced lacquerware and understanding the rich cultural heritage it represents. By doing so, we contribute to the preservation of not just a product, but an entire ecosystem of skills, traditions, and natural resources that have been carefully cultivated over centuries.
