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

Living in Akita Prefecture, you have many opportunities to see lacquerware. At a Japanese restaurant, you might suddenly notice a small bowl or sake cup that has been carefully painted over for a glossy finish, and even someone who lives in Akita Prefecture might find themselves admiring it and admiring it. The name of this lacquerware is "Kawatsura lacquerware," and it is known as a representative traditional craft that adds color to Akita cuisine, such as Inaniwa udon

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

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Kawauchi lacquerware, which originated as a side job for samurai, is characterized by its durability

Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional craft that originated in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture. Over 800 years ago during the Kamakura period, Michinori, the younger brother of Onodera Shigemichi, who ruled the Yuzawa area as the castle lord, noticed the abundant timber resources and lacquer available in the area and came up with the idea of ​​Kawatsura lacquerware as a side job for the samurai serving at 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

Kawatsura lacquerware is characterized by its extreme durability while maintaining the beauty and luster of lacquerware. Kawatsura lacquerware is made by applying multiple coats of lacquer, which are mixed with persimmon juice and charcoal powder from other trees such as magnolia and willow. While other lacquerware uses water in this process, Kawatsura lacquerware is applied multiple times without water and hardens. It is precisely because no water is used that Kawatsura lacquerware is resistant to distortion and is completed as a highly durable lacquerware. Kawatsura lacquerware is used not only for special occasions but also for everyday use, and is therefore simple yet beautiful, possessing the elegance and luster unique to lacquerware while also being durable, making it an excellent choice

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Beautiful and suitable for everyday use! Attractive Kawatsura lacquerware

Kawauchi lacquerware includes not only trays and sake cups, but also matching bowls. These are couple's bowls. Apparently, they are not only popular with elderly people, but are also given as gifts or souvenirs to newly married couples

There is a wide variety of lacquerware, from large and small plates that can be used for everyday dinners, to soup bowls for family gatherings, to tiered boxes and bento boxes that can be used at work. The colors are mostly subdued black and red, and some even have pictures on them. You can choose based on your purpose and preferences, or you can purchase items that match your favorite Japanese cuisine repertoire. This is lacquerware that can be used every day

There is also a type of Kawauchi lacquerware that has a sparkling interior. When sake is poured into the cup, the bottom of the cup sparkles, casting a beautiful star-like light on the surface of the sake. This type of cup is called a "graded-pattern cup," and the inside of the cup is coated with a glittering gold-nashiji finish

The "Bokashi-nuri Cup" is a product that won the "Folk Crafts Category Excellence Award (Akita Prefectural Governor's Award)" at the Akita Specialty Products Competition. It can be purchased at souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture, as well as online (although it may be out of stock depending on the stock situation)

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lastly

Kawatsura lacquerware is one of Akita Prefecture's traditional crafts. It originated in Yuzawa City, but is now sold in many souvenir shops throughout the prefecture. While it is sometimes recommended purely as a souvenir within the prefecture, it is also a common item used daily in homes as a sturdy lacquer craft. It is particularly popular during traditional Japanese events such as celebrations and Obon, as a tray for serving tea to guests and as a vessel for serving celebratory delicacies

The lustrous black and red colors are a perfect match for Japanese food and sake. If you visit Akita Prefecture, we hope you'll take a look at Kawauchi lacquerware and imagine what kind of Japanese food it would go well with and what kind of sake you would like to pour into it. If you find it appealing, we hope you'll choose a piece you like and keep it by your side as a daily companion for years to come

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