Roiroshi - A craftsman who brings out the luster of Wajima lacquerware with his bare hands
Mr. Katsumune Masui
We were given a tour of Wajima lacquerware and Wajima city by Mr. and Mrs. Masui of Roiroya, who make
the Wajima lacquered single hairpin lacquer balls, a product of wargo.
Roiro is primarily the finishing polishing process within the vast Wajima lacquerware production process. Wajima lacquerware is divided into various steps and tasks are divided into different parts, and Roiroya is the company that specializes in this polishing process. To achieve a level of polishing that allows for a clear, mirror-like reflection of the face, six polishing steps are required, and the final step is to rub the surface with only polishing powder and the fingertips. This delicate process can be damaged by rough hands, and it will not work well if there is too much or too little oil on the hands. In order to polish the surface, workers take care to manage their health and handle their belongings carefully to protect their hands. The luster that is achieved through the accumulation of incredibly meticulous work is part of the appeal of Wajima lacquerware.
In addition to the polishing process, Roiroya's work also includes the application of various lacquer coatings. One technique involves sprinkling powdered lacquer called dry lacquer on top of the applied lacquer to create a matte surface finish. It is also possible to create paintings using 10 different colors of dry lacquer, and Mr. Masui here creates dry lacquer paintings, making full use of an even larger number, 30 different types of dry lacquer. He creates a wide variety of designs, delicately layering lacquer to decorate vessels with realistic images of dragons, Mount Fuji, and plants. By using these different colored powders, he is also challenging himself with the development of new products, such as creating colorful juzu beads.
Wajima lacquerware is in a difficult situation. Although strict regulations for Wajima lacquerware were put in place as counterfeits from overseas began to circulate, many of the products that had devised ways to lower their prices are no longer subject to the regulations and are now being sold under different names. The days when products could be sold without any design are over, and people are still groping around in the dark to make products that will sell. Lacquerware shops that had large sales channels are going out of business one after another, and the current situation is that no one is looking for successors. It is said that in the next 20 years, there will be no more artisans who have handed down their skills, and only the techniques will remain in training schools, and this gloomy story only added to the sadness of the future.
Nurishi-ya - A producer who oversees everything from development to sales
A lacquerware maker is someone who is responsible for overall production, overseeing everything from product development to manufacturing and sales. Tohachiya, a lacquerware maker, has two stores: the main store, located near Asaichi-dori in the heart of Wajima, and the Kobo Nagaya store, which also houses the workshop. The interior of the main store is elegantly finished with wiped lacquer, giving it a dignified appearance. Mr. Shioji, who protects his store, which is filled with his dreams and goals, gave us a memorable tour, his modest yet proud manner.
Fujihachiya began by selling bento boxes, and is now actively accepting OEM orders. They even offer seasonally different designs to their long-standing eel restaurant. They also provide the traditional repair service "naoshimon" as a duty of the makers, and their meticulous attention to detail is the foundation of the trust they have built with their customers. We've heard that the production area is currently in a state of decline. Apparently, there was a time when Wajima lacquerware brooches sold well, but nowadays, even if they are brought to a jewelry store, they are no longer seen as valuable. Even so, Shioji-san personally visits people to promote his products, and continues to develop new products through trial and error.
We were given the opportunity to observe some of the processes involved in a lacquer maker's work. At Fujihachiya, the entire process, from base coat to top coat, is carried out in-house. We witnessed the entire process, including the distinctive Wajima lacquerware technique of cloth covering (reinforcing parts of the lacquerware with cloth), the seven-step process of mixing base powder with the lacquer and repeatedly applying and polishing the base coat, and the intermediate coat, which hardens the hardened base. The most distinctive feature of Wajima lacquerware is its durability. It is only after applying a top coat to this sturdy base that a beautiful luster is achieved. The lacquerware is mixed with a thick base coat, even if it is difficult to polish, and the skill with which it is applied produces a uniform finish that is hard to believe was achieved with just a spatula. The lacquerware is hardened in the lacquerer's bath, where humidity and temperature are maintained. This meticulous environment, usually off-limits to non-artisans, is maintained. Even the meticulous process of removing dust from each piece with a bird's feather is painstakingly performed. By adhering to this solid process, they have been able to maintain their traditions and trust.
