Lacquerware by Isuke
MODERN LACQUERWARE FOR REASONABLE PRICE.
Lacquering in Japan has more than 2000 years of its history. The oldest lacquerware found was considerably simple, used black and red color. Lacquer was used mainly for two reasons, to protect base material, and to glue. It takes months to finish for lacquerware because lacquering is varnished for numbers of layers as soon as it's dried. It can be said for many traditional crafting industry in Japan, craftsman and artisan are much less than they used to be.
For above reasons, lacquerware in Japan, is expensive. Superb quality and high price was indispensable. What saves the industry is that there are a few younger generations to restore such culture by following traditions, and sometimes, making own paths by creating modernized traditional crafts.
Isuke, in Kyoto does the both. Traditional and modernized lacquerware. Started their lacquerware crafts in sometime in early 1800s. Their products are rather popular both in domestic and international. If you are planning to visit their store, make sure to check holiday schedule at their website. (http://www.isuke.co.jp/) There is a calendar on left side of the page. Days colored red are holiday.
Urushi mamesara.
Price: ¥2,700 (a piece)
Small lacquered plates. Approximately 4inch (10cm). Unlikely to traditional models, vivid colors and symbolic design are performed. Light coloring is unique. Price is pretty reasonable too.
Chasen, yellow.
Chasen is tea whisk, used to disperse matcha tea powder.
Sensu, blue.
Folding fan is designed.
Shamisen, vermillion.
Shamisen is Japanese ancient stringed instrument.
Katakuchi, orange.
Katakuchi is a type of bowl that is single side lipped.
Kyusu, green.
Teapot.
Umbrella, black.
Also, there are animal design versions are available for same price.
Pair wine cup, Koma.
Price: ¥10,800 (a pair)
2.5inch diameter and 5.1 height. Lacquered on wooden base with "Koma" design. "Koma" is trational design for spinning tops. As spinning top spins, spinning in Japanese is "Mawaru" (rather similar to a phrase "go round" in english), is good fortune.
FYI.
Lacquerware is very very sensitive.
Do NOT wash in wash machines or use it in microwave.
What I do is to wet soft cloth and wipe or hand wash with water when I clean them.
Where to buy: "Isuke"
Address: 344, Kashiwayacho, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Open hours: 9:00 to 17:30
Closed on: Weekends and national holidays.
(Some weekends are open, check the calendar.)
Isuke official site.
