Kiso Lacquerware is one of Japan’s premier lacquerware traditions, passed down through generations in the Kiso region of Nagano Prefecture. Known as a craft that combines practicality with beauty, these durable and long-lasting lacquered vessels are not only suitable for daily use but also develop a unique luster and character the more they are used.
This article provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the history of Kiso Lacquerware, its distinctive techniques, and key points to consider when making a purchase.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Basics of Kiso Lacquerware
Kiso Lacquerware is one of Japan’s representative traditional crafts. Known since ancient times as vessels that combine durability with practicality, it has built a lacquerware culture rooted in daily life. What makes it distinctive is the application of strength-enhancing foundation techniques such as cloth reinforcement and hon-kataji (authentic foundation) to the wooden base, achieving durability that resists damage even after years of use.
Currently designated as a national traditional craft, it spans a wide range from household items to commercial use. Here, we’ll systematically explain the production area, characteristics, and certification system to deepen understanding of Kiso Lacquerware fundamentals.
Where is Kiso Lacquerware Produced?
The production area of Kiso Lacquerware is centered in the Kiso-Hirasawa region of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the Nakasendo route, it has developed as a major lacquerware production center since the Edo period. The abundant timber resources and clear streams created an ideal environment for lacquerware production, forming the background for the establishment of this production area.
The Edo shogunate protected this area as a transportation hub, expanding demand as a supplier of vessels for feudal lords and travelers. Kiso Lacquerware is particularly characterized by wooden bases that utilize high-quality timber called the “Five Trees of Kiso” – hinoki (Japanese cypress), sawara (Japanese false cypress), nezuko (Japanese thuja), asunaro (hiba arborvitae), and koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine) – resulting in excellent durability.
Even today, many lacquerware workshops and wholesalers line the streets of Kiso-Hirasawa, with the entire town forming an industrial landscape of lacquerware. In 1975, it was designated as a national traditional craft, leading to brand strengthening efforts across the entire production area. Today, it also serves as a tourist destination with the “Kiso Lacquerware Festival,” widely sharing the history and culture of the production area. Thus, Kiso Lacquerware is a craft that has continued to develop within the regional climate and history.
Durable and Strong for Daily Use – The Character of Kiso Lacquerware
The greatest characteristic of Kiso Lacquerware lies in its durability and practicality for daily use. While many lacquerware production areas focus mainly on tea ceremony utensils and art crafts, Kiso Lacquerware has enhanced its practical value as everyday tools. The foundation uses a method called “hon-kataji,” where cloth is layered onto the wooden base and hardened with polishing powder and lacquer to increase strength.
Additionally, reinforcement called “cloth application” is applied, so even the easily breakable edges and corners are firmly protected. Through these techniques, the lacquer coating is resistant to peeling even with long-term use, making it valued in commercial settings such as restaurants and hotels.
Furthermore, the finish is characterized by transparent coating represented by “Kiso Shunkei,” allowing enjoyment of glossy expressions while highlighting the wood grain. The wide lineup ranges from bowls and trays usable at everyday dining tables to jubako (nested boxes) for ceremonies and gifts, and even large trays for commercial use. The characteristics of being durable, practical, and beautiful are the reasons why Kiso Lacquerware blends into daily life and continues to gain many devoted users today.
Traditional Craft Designation and How to Read the Markings
Kiso Lacquerware was designated as a national traditional craft in 1975, officially recognizing its quality and historical value. To receive traditional craft designation, products must use techniques and methods inherited in the production area for over 100 years, with main parts made by hand, and be practical items used in daily life.
In the case of Kiso Lacquerware, production based on traditional techniques such as hon-kataji and cloth application is maintained, meeting the designation requirements. When purchasing, you can determine whether it is an authentic traditional craft by checking for the display of the “Traditional Mark” symbol.
Additionally, the “Kiso Lacquerware Industrial Cooperative” symbol mark exists, working on quality control as a production area. Since inexpensive imitations and machine-coated lacquerware also circulate in the market, checking markings is essential work for collectors and business operators. By understanding reliable marking systems, you can confidently select Kiso Lacquerware and enjoy it for a long time.
The History of Kiso Lacquerware
Kiso Lacquerware is a traditional craft that developed due to abundant forest resources and the existence of the Nakasendo as a transportation hub. Demand surged during the Edo period, and the establishment of a division of labor system enabled growth as a large-scale production area.
Subsequently, from the Meiji era onward, it was supported by export and tourism demand, and in modern times, it widely disseminates tradition and culture through regional events such as the “Kiso Lacquerware Festival.” By tracing the history of the production area, we can understand that Kiso Lacquerware has been deeply connected not only as everyday tools but also to regional economy and culture.
The Formation of a Production Area Nurtured by the Nakasendo and Craftsman Concentration
The formation of the Kiso Lacquerware production area dates back to the early Edo period. Kiso-Hirasawa in Nagano Prefecture was close to post towns along the Nakasendo route and had the locational advantage of supplying lacquerware to travelers and passing merchants.
Additionally, the surrounding mountains provided abundant high-quality timber such as hinoki and sawara, and lacquer trees were also cultivated, making it possible to locally source both wood and lacquer. Initial production was small-scale as a side business for farmers, but gradually craftsmen concentrated in the area, and the entire region shifted toward the lacquerware industry.
As travelers visiting the post towns took items home as souvenirs, the name of Kiso Lacquerware spread, eventually establishing the foundation for wide-area distribution. Furthermore, the Kiso region’s cool climate and clear water were suited to lacquerware production environments, which also supported the formation of the production area. Thus, Kiso Lacquerware developed against the backdrop of locational advantages along the Nakasendo and natural resources, growing into a nationally recognized craft.
Edo Period Development and Establishment of Division of Labor System
During the Edo period, Kiso Lacquerware achieved significant development. As the shogunate’s development of the Nakasendo made distribution flourish, demand from travelers, samurai families, and temples and shrines increased, activating lacquerware production.
What was characteristic of this period was the establishment of a division of labor system. A workflow was organized where wood turners would turn the vessel bases, foundation craftsmen would strengthen them with cloth application and hon-kataji, and lacquer masters would apply the top coat, making it possible to achieve both efficiency and quality. Furthermore, specialized decoration craftsmen such as maki-e artists and chinkin masters joined, further diversifying products. Not only daily items such as bowls and trays were produced, but also temple offerings and prestigious furnishings, spreading Kiso Lacquerware’s reputation nationwide.
Additionally, feudal protection supported the development of the production area, and Kiso Lacquerware became a pillar of the regional economy. Thus, the division of labor system and production foundation built during the Edo period became the strength of Kiso Lacquerware that continues to this day.
Modern to Contemporary: The Spread of Tourism, Exports, and the Kiso Lacquerware Festival
However, after the war, demand declined due to the spread of Western tableware and chemical products, forcing the production area to transform. Tourism demand was emphasized as a new sales channel, establishing a brand as a “lacquerware town” that combined production area tours with direct sales.
The “Kiso Lacquerware Festival,” which began around 1968, particularly contributed greatly to regional revitalization by attracting many visitors through craftsman demonstrations and product sales. Currently, in addition to brand protection through traditional craft designation, development of contemporary vessels and interior products with enhanced design appeal is also progressing. With tourism, exports, and regional promotion as three pillars, Kiso Lacquerware is opening new possibilities while preserving tradition.
What is the Production Process of Kiso Lacquerware?
Kiso Lacquerware is a sophisticated craft that begins with material selection and is completed through multiple layers of coating and finishing. Tree species that are durable and compatible with lacquer are selected for the wooden base, and lacquer is used selectively according to its degree of refinement, including both domestic and imported varieties.
Furthermore, foundation processes such as cloth application, base coating, and sabi-ji are repeated to ensure strength and beauty. While these processes may seem complex at first glance, they are all innovations to achieve “vessels that can be used for a long time in daily life.” Here, we’ll introduce the three pillars of wooden base materials, lacquer, and foundation in order.
Selection of Wooden Base Materials (Mizume, Tochi, Hinoki, etc.)
The durability of Kiso Lacquerware is first supported by the selection of wooden base materials. The most representative is Mizume-zakura (Mizume), which is hard with little warping and good lacquer adhesion, making it widely used for bowls and trays.
Tochi (horse chestnut) has a lightweight and soft texture, making it suitable for large trays and jubako boxes. What symbolizes the production area is Kiso hinoki (Japanese cypress). Hinoki has a pleasant fragrance and excellent durability, making it treasured as material for elegant vessels and religious articles.
These timbers undergo long-term drying after felling to remove internal stress before wood cutting. Particularly in the production of bowls and trays, “turnery” called wheel turning is performed to finish to uniform thickness, achieving both lightness and strength.
The Five Trees of Kiso (hinoki, sawara, nezuko, asunaro, koyamaki) are also known as characteristics of the production area, all serving as evidence that Kiso’s abundant forest resources have supported the craft. The selection of wooden base materials directly relates to the vessel’s purpose and design, forming the foundation that determines the finished beauty and durability.
Types and Refinement of Lacquer (Domestic/Imported, Raw Lacquer/Refined Lacquer)
The lacquer used in Kiso Lacquerware has different properties depending on the tree sap condition and production area. Japanese lacquer has high viscosity and slow drying, while featuring transparency and producing deep luster. Lacquer imported from China and Vietnam dries quickly and has high hardness, making it suitable for foundation and intermediate coating in some cases.
It’s common to combine domestic and imported lacquer according to the process. Furthermore, lacquer is broadly divided into “raw lacquer (ki-urushi)” and “refined lacquer.” Raw lacquer is tree sap that has only been filtered, with strong stickiness, used for foundation and mixing materials.
Refined lacquer has impurities removed and viscosity adjusted through stirring and heating, often used for top coating. Particularly, highly refined lacquer called “transparent lacquer” is essential for finishes that beautifully highlight the wood grain and decoration of the base. Since lacquer is sensitive to temperature and humidity, skilled techniques are required for storage and adjustment. Understanding these lacquer characteristics and using them appropriately for each purpose supports the texture and durability of Kiso Lacquerware.
Foundation Processes: Cloth Application, Base Coating, Sabi-ji, etc.
What supports the strength and beauty of Kiso Lacquerware are the careful foundation processes. First, in the reinforcement called “cloth application,” hemp or cotton cloth is attached to parts that tend to weaken, such as vessel edges and corners.
This prevents cracking and chipping, completing vessels that can withstand long-term use. Subsequently, in “base coating,” base lacquer mixed with polishing powder and raw lacquer is applied multiple times, repeating drying and polishing. This smooths the surface and prepares a foundation where the color of the top coat will shine.
Furthermore, in the process called “sabi-ji,” a paste mixed with fine polishing powder and raw lacquer is applied to finish the surface uniformly. This work also serves to repair scratches and adjust unevenness, being an important stage directly connected to the glossiness after completion.
Because the foundation is solid, it becomes a vessel that can withstand daily use and be passed down through generations. The background to Kiso Lacquerware’s reputation for “durability” lies in this careful foundation work.
Coating and Decoration: Techniques that Determine the Finish
The appeal of Kiso Lacquerware lies not only in its durability but also in the beauty of its finish. At the core of this are the coating and decoration processes. Lacquer applied in stages from intermediate to top coating brings deep luster and durability.
Additionally, various expression methods such as wiped lacquer and tame-nuri highlight the wood grain of the material and the unique transparency of lacquer. Furthermore, decorative techniques such as maki-e and chinkin elevate vessels beyond the practical realm into works of art. Here, we’ll examine in detail the coating flow, representative finishes, and the appeal of decoration.
Understanding the Flow of Intermediate Coating, Top Coating, and Polishing
The coating process in lacquerware production is not completed with a single application. After preparing the foundation, the first step is “intermediate coating.” Intermediate coating plays the role of forming an intermediate layer to enhance the color and luster of the top coat.
After applying lacquer uniformly and drying it, “polishing” work is performed. Polishing is a process that scrapes away minute surface irregularities to enhance smoothness. By repeating this work, the lacquer layers increase in thickness while becoming uniform, affecting the completeness of the top coat.
In the subsequent “top coating,” highly refined transparent lacquer or high-quality black lacquer is used, requiring advanced techniques that don’t leave brush marks. A characteristic point is drying in a humidity and temperature-controlled “muro” (drying room) to completely avoid coating unevenness and dust.
Finally, through polishing and buffing, the deep luster characteristic of lacquerware is born. Through this accumulation of processes, Kiso Lacquerware achieves a glossy finish while being durable.
Expressions of Wiped Lacquer, Tame-nuri, and Kiji-ro
Kiso Lacquerware finishes have diverse variations, selected according to purpose and design. Representative is “wiped lacquer,” a method where lacquer is thinly rubbed into the wooden base and excess is wiped away to finish. Since it makes the wood grain stand out, it’s widely used for daily items such as furniture and cutlery.
“Tame-nuri” is a technique where vermillion lacquer is applied to the lower layer and transparent lacquer is layered on top, characterized by deep crimson with depth. The vermillion color shows through depending on the light, displaying an expression that combines weightiness with brilliance.
Furthermore, “kiji-ro” is a finish that layers transparent lacquer to preserve the natural texture of the wooden base while adding luster, used for items that value material feel. These techniques are not merely coloring but the pursuit of beauty optimized for materials and purposes.
Craftsmen judge which finish can best bring out the appeal by assessing the nature of the wooden base and the user’s lifestyle scenarios. Understanding the differences in finishes greatly expands the enjoyment of selecting Kiso Lacquerware.
Decorative Techniques: Maki-e, Chinkin, and Togi-dashi
What elevates Kiso Lacquerware to art pieces are decorative techniques. Among these, “maki-e” is widely known as a representative Japanese decorative technique. Patterns are drawn with lacquer, and gold or silver powder is sprinkled on top to fix it, allowing expression from delicate line drawings to gorgeously brilliant designs.
“Chinkin” is a technique where fine lines and patterns are carved into the lacquer surface with a chisel, and gold leaf or gold powder is embedded there. The precision of the line carving stands out, emitting a deep brilliance.
Furthermore, the “togi-dashi” technique partially polishes away layered colored lacquer to make patterns emerge. It can create geometric patterns and abstract designs, also conveying a modern sensibility.
These decorations advance vessels one step beyond mere daily items, transforming them into entities that reflect the owner’s aesthetic sense. In Kiso Lacquerware, decoration is never excessive but is designed to harmonize with the depth of lacquer. By knowing decorative techniques, you can further appreciate the world of profound beauty that lacquerware possesses.
Care and Repair for Long-Term Use
While Kiso Lacquerware is said to be durable and strong for daily use, it cannot maintain its original beauty without proper handling and maintenance. From daily washing and drying innovations to repair requests when chipping or coating deterioration occurs, and even durable operation in commercial settings such as restaurants and hotels, optimal responses are required for each situation.
Here, we’ll organize and introduce basic care and repair points to keep in mind for enjoying Kiso Lacquerware across generations, as well as considerations for commercial use.
Daily Handling Tips (Washing, Drying, Storage)
When using Kiso Lacquerware daily, attention to washing methods is first necessary. After use, hand wash with lukewarm water as soon as possible, using only a small amount of mild detergent.
Choose soft sponges, and avoid metal scrubbers or abrasive detergents as they can damage the surface. After washing, wipe away moisture with a cloth and let air dry naturally. Direct sunlight and dryers are strictly forbidden as they can cause cracking or discoloration of the lacquer surface.
For storage, avoid high temperature and humidity, and store in a well-ventilated place. When stacking for storage, insert soft washi paper or cloth between vessels to prevent friction. Even when not used for long periods, occasionally taking them out and airing them can prevent mold and deterioration. By being conscious of these habits, the lacquer’s luster and strength will be maintained for a long time, steadily adding color to daily dining.
Feasibility of Chip and Recoating Repair and Where to Consult
While Kiso Lacquerware is durable, long-term use can cause surface lacquer to peel or edges to chip. In such cases, it’s better to avoid trying to repair it yourself. For simple lacquer peeling or dull luster, craftsman “recoating” can restore it to like-new condition.
Regarding partial chips or cracks, repairs applying “kintsugi” techniques are also possible. Recently, repair consultation windows have been established through workshops and cooperatives, allowing requests after confirming estimates and repair feasibility. Particularly for expensive lacquerware or vessels passed down through generations, having them properly repaired by specialists leads to preserving their value.
Cooperatives exist that provide repair services not only for general households but also for restaurant operators and hotel users on a corporate basis. By viewing lacquerware as “renewable tools” rather than “consumables,” sustainable long-term use can be achieved.
Operational Points for Commercial Use (Food Service, Hospitality)
When introducing Kiso Lacquerware in commercial settings such as restaurants and inns, it’s necessary to emphasize durability and maintainability more than daily use. Since usage frequency is high in commercial environments, regular inspection and planning of “recoating cycles” are essential.
Implementing recoating every few years can maintain appearance and hygiene while also leading to long-term cost reduction. Additionally, while there may be desire to use dishwashers for washing efficiency, high temperatures and strong water flow basically tend to damage lacquer surfaces and are unsuitable.
Therefore, it’s recommended to accept that they are dishwasher-incompatible and establish a system for careful hand handling. Additionally, hospitality facilities require immediately wiping away moisture after use and thoroughly controlling humidity during storage. While introducing lacquerware for commercial use leads to enhanced overall space luxury and customer experience, proper operation and maintenance systems are essential. With such innovations, Kiso Lacquerware will demonstrate long-term value even in commercial settings.
Summary
Kiso Lacquerware developed in a production area rooted in Nakasendo post towns and is known as one of Japan’s premier lacquerware traditions that combines durability with beauty. Vessels created through meticulous processes from wooden base selection to foundation, coating, and decoration can withstand daily use and be cherished across generations, which is their great appeal.
By paying attention to daily washing and storage and requesting specialist craftsmen for repairs of chips or deterioration, lacquerware lifespan can be further extended. In recent years, it has spread domestically and internationally through tourism and exports, earning high evaluation for commercial use as well. By continuing to use with proper care, the value of Kiso Lacquerware will shine even brighter, continuing to richly color life and culture.
