The difference between ”Hidehira Wan” and ”Hidehira Nuri”When you talk about lacquer ware from Iwate, ”Hidehira Nuri” is what comes to mind. As its name suggests, it was created during the Hidehira Fujiwara period, and is lacquer ware using plenty of local lacquer and gold, and it is one of the symbolic items from the gold culture of Hiraizumi. |
Taking over the family business of making lacquer wareOikawa was born in Masuzawa area in Iwate Prefecture. It is an area famous for carpentry from the old days, and during the Meiji Era the ”Masuzaka Nuri” lacquerware was established as an industry. In fact this area was considered to have been making ”Hidehira Wan” for many years, and there was research about ”Hidehira Wan” by a famous folk crafts movement leader Muneyoshi Yanagi. At that time, ”Masuzaka Nuri” was basically just one color since it was made for daily use. On the other hand, there is a history of restoring ”Hidehira Nuri” which incorporated gold and patterns, which was the characteristic of ”Hidehira Wan”. |
Lacquerware is not a luxury item and should be used dailyOne of our staff said, ”lacquer ware seems like a luxury item” and Oikawa replied ”That is a problem, when people think that way.” Currently Oikawa is making ”Masuzawa Nuri” rather than ”Hidehira Nuri”. Basically going back to making more practical lacquer ware. To adopt lacquerware as a day to day product. Lacquer can be repaired again and again, so sometimes a lacquerware returns to be repaired after 10 – 20 years of use. This is the proof of the lacquerware being continuously used. |
ACCESS
- Oikawa Lacquer Studio, Morio Oikawa
- Oshu, Iwate Prefecture