[Akita] Sturdy, beautiful, and OK for everyday use! A traditional craft with three features: Kawatsura lacquerware

If you live in Akita Prefecture, you have many opportunities to see lacquerware. Suddenly, I noticed that the small bowls and sake cups at a Japanese restaurant that caught my eye were made of lacquerware that had been carefully painted over and over to give them a lustrous shine, and even someone living in Akita Prefecture couldn't help but stare at them and think, ``This is beautiful.'' It may be stored away. The name of this lacquerware is ``Kawatsura lacquerware,'' and it is known as a representative traditional craft that decorates Akita's food such as Inaniwa udon.

This time, I would like to talk about Kawatsura lacquerware, which is a representative of Akita's tableware that can be enjoyed with food. Kawatsura lacquerware, which decorates Akita's traditional cuisine and sake, is a wonderful item that gives you a sense of history just by looking at it.

Kawatsura lacquerware, which was created as a side job for samurai, is characterized by its sturdiness.

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional craft created in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture. More than 800 years ago, during the Kamakura period, Michinori, the younger brother of Shigemichi Onodera, who was the lord of the castle in the Yuzawa City area, noticed the rich timber resources and lacquer that could be harvested near Yuzawa City. Kawatsura lacquerware was invented as a side job for the samurai who served the castle. Since then, Kawatsura lacquerware has continued to be produced mainly in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and is now designated as a national traditional craft.

The characteristic of Kawatsura lacquerware is that it is extremely durable while maintaining the beauty and luster of lacquerware. In Kawatsura lacquerware, the process involves applying lacquer over and over again, using a mixture of persimmon juice and charcoal powder from other trees such as Hou and willow. While other lacquerware uses water in this process, Kawatsura lacquerware is coated and hardened many times without using water. Because Kawatsura lacquerware does not use any water, it is resistant to distortion and is highly durable. Kawatsura lacquerware is not only used on sunny occasions but also as a daily necessity, so it is simple yet beautiful, and has the unique elegance and luster of lacquerware, yet is durable.

Beautiful for everyday use! Attractive Kawatsura lacquerware

In addition to trays and sake cups, Kawatsura lacquerware also includes matching bowls. This is a couple's bowl. Not only the elderly, but also some people give these to the homes of newly married couples as congratulations or souvenirs.

There is a wide variety of items available, from lacquerware that can be used for everyday dinner such as large plates and small plates, to soup bowls that can be used at family gatherings, to jubako and bento boxes that can be used at work. The colors are mainly muted black and red, and some have pictures inside. You can choose according to your purpose and preference, or you can purchase one that matches your favorite Japanese food repertoire. Lacquerware that can be used every day.

There is also a type of Kawatsura lacquerware that has a sparkling interior. When you pour sake into it, the bottom of the cup shines, and the surface of the sake shines like a beautiful star. This type of cup is called a ``bokashi-lacquered cup,'' and the inside of the cup is coated with a coating called kinashiji to add sparkle.

The ``Bokashi Painted Cup'' is a product that won the ``Folk Crafts Category Excellence Award (Akita Prefectural Governor's Award)'' at the Akita Specialty Products Contest. In addition to being available for purchase at souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture, you can also purchase them online (depending on stock availability, they may be out of stock).

lastly

Kawatsura lacquerware is one of the traditional crafts of Akita Prefecture. Although it was born in Yuzawa City, it is now sold at many souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture. Although it is sometimes recommended purely as a souvenir within the prefecture, it is also a common item that is used in everyday homes as a sturdy lacquerware. Especially during traditional Japanese events such as auspicious occasions and Obon, it is used as a tray for serving tea to guests, and as a vessel for serving auspicious feasts.

The glossy black and red are colors that match Japanese food and sake. When you visit Akita Prefecture, please take a look at Kawatsura lacquerware and imagine what kind of Japanese food it would go well with or what kind of sake you would like to pour it into. If you like it, we would be happy if you could keep it by your side for a long time as a companion in your daily life.