Starting in unlacquered magnolia wood processing
The workshop originally started at the end of the Edo period, as a Wajima lacquerware manufacturing workshop. In the beginning of the Showa Era, Hisayuki Kirimoto gathered wood carving craftsmen to start an unlacquered wood carving workshop “Ho Kijiya”. They have continued to create lacquerware, lacquered furniture and lacquered building material.
”Kijiya” refers to craftsmen who create the unlacquered base bowls and vessels. Many of the work by ”Kirimoto Wooden Craft Workshop ” are lacquerware featuring the natural texture of wood.
On our visit, Nakata tried coating lacquer onto a spoon. The shape of the wood is a nice gentle curve that molds into your hand.
Lacquer that matches your lifestyle
3rd generation Taiichi Kirimoto studied product design and worked as an office planner before he returned to Wajima to work in the woodwork industry. Lacquerware that blends in with modern life and the traditional lacquerware. They also challenge ways to further expand the possibilities of lacquerware. He continues his creative work while keeping a balance with the demands of the current times.
At ”Kirimoto Wooden Craft Workshop”, pieces are created to blend into the modern lifestyle. To familiarize people with ”urushi” lacquerware, they hold workshops called ”Office Urushi” in Koto ward, Tokyo. The room is coated entirely with lacquer – the walls, the door, the countertops too…
This room truly depicts ”life with lacquer”. Anyone is free to visit this room with advanced reservations.
Creating opportunity to experience first hand
They also founded ”Gallery Waichi” with other craftsmen in Ishikawa Prefecture under the catchphrase ”Lacquer is our Friend”. The gallery was established to offer craftsmen a place to show and explain the background of how their work is created.
Lacquerware, carrying the tradition of Wajima.
The craftsmen have a strong desire for lacquerware to always be part of ”the lives of people”. Lacquerware with their long-lasting gloss conveys warmth, and is something you want to have when you want to slow down and enjoy a slow paced life.
