| Wakasa Lacquer Ware | |||
Wakasa Nuri lacquerware is known for its spleckled surface decoration that reminds you of glittering ocean depths. But its other important characteristic is that apart from the turning of den base, every process in the creation of Wakasa Nuri is performed by a single artisan. This means that a great deal of effort goes into the design and finish. |
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The jewel-like surface design that sometimes looks like a deep ocean and at others like a starry sky is created by embedding foreign matter in the lacquer which is then sanded down and polished to reveal deep layers of speckled color. These foreign objects may be eggshell, ground seashell, pine needles, cypress leaf, rape seed or chaff. Mr Kosaku Furukawa, 3rd-generation Wakasa Nuri craftsman says: "Some say they got the idea for this surface decoration because the craft developed by the seashore where sand and bits of other debris was carried on the wind and landed on the lacquer while it was wet, creating interesting accidental effects." It is also speculated that a young lacquer craftsman got the idea for the design when he saw how beautiful the ocean floor was at the scenic Sotomo area of Obama Bay. Either way, Wakasa Nuri was inspired by nature and is created of natural materials. |
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The amazing surface decoration which manifests after many layers of lacquer have been sanded and relacquered, is made possible by implanting foreign matter once a smooth base has been created. "It is the process that requires the most thought and care," explains Mr Furukawa. "We do it by applying pine needles and other bits and pieces before the lacquer hardens and if the lacquer hardens too quickly, it fails to gather around the foreign object, so the pattern does not emerge clearly." For this reason, Mr Furukawa says, they can only do the work of embedding the foreign objects in the cold winter months when the low humidity and low temperature slow down the hardening process. After the pattern-material has been applied, it is just a matter of repeating the process of lacquering and sanding over and over. He explains that they call it "idiot's lacquerware" because you end up going crazy with all that work. It takes a year to finish one piece. |
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The work of one man Unlike many of the lacquering traditions, which rely on craftsmen specializing in laying the base or lacquering the inner layers, or handling the surface decoration, Wakasa Nuri is lacquered by one craftsman from bottom to top. "We only buy the wooden bases and then we do the rest ourselves," says Mr Furukawa. He notes that because one man is entirely responsible for the work that he sells, there is a great sense of responsibility to do the job well. There are 66 different steps in the lacquering process. "It takes at least five years just to remember everything you have to do to make an object," says Mr Furukawa, "but I'd estimate you need 10 years to get to the stage where you can be confident of making products commercially." |
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And again, because the one lacquer craftsman is in control of the whole process you find that there is quite a degree of individuality in design from lacquer shop to lacquer shop. "For example, the embedded foreign matter, be it pine needles or other bits of vegetation will be thicker or finer depending on who's doing the job," says Mr Furukawa. And there are designs that have become the trademark of different shops. He says that some people know immediately: 'Ah, that's a Furukawa.' "This plum design is ours, for example. And there are people who prefer one shop's style to another, and so you end up with certain customers favoring certain shops." |
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There is no way you can get around the fact that Wakasa Nuri is costly. It is simply such labor-intensive work. But Mr Furukawa says that just because it costs a lot, people should not just put it away for best and never use it. "If you are going to invest that sort of money in something, it would seem wise to buy something that you will use every day." He explains that the real value of Wakasa Nuri is in places that can't be seen, for example, the strong base coats of lacquer. This foundation work ensures that the bowls won't break and the more you use them the more beautiful is their sheen," he insists. Not only that but you can bring back your Wakasa Nuri for repairs, and if it is one of Mr Furukwa's own pieces, he will not stint in making it perfect again. Mr Furukawa says he is happy when customers make detailed claims. You can see that this craftsman, who was brought up watching his father work, is still in love with his craft. |
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