Making Wajima Nuri requires refined skills and years of experience,
so it is impossible for others to copy it.

 
Nationally renowned Wajima Nuri masters currently live in the city. And this lacquer ware has been recognized as a traditional Japanese craft. Those who are well-trained in the art of Wajima Nuri are given the title of certified traditional craftsman. The city of Wajima is now trying to make this ware recognized as world-class cultural heritage. Hopefully, in the near future, Wajima Nuri will not only be appreciated by Japanese, but also by people around the world. 

In Japan, when people mention Wajima, they immediately think of Wajima Nuri.

 
Of all the steps involved in the production of these pieces, the process of applying the lacquer is the most complex, and there are as many as 124 steps. 
 

The Osaki Nushiya building is over 100 years old. It is a unique Wajima-style wooden house.

 
It is also a very typical old style nushiya building that the workshop owner lives in the front part of the house while the craftsmen work in the back part of the house. In the far rear of the house, there is a room called kura, which is designed for the craftsmen who are in charge of applying the lacquer. This room, kura, allows the craftsmen to perform this step of the production separately from other steps, since they need to work in a dust-free environment.
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The building is a long rectangular shape, and the length is about 80 meters. However, the store front looks just like a regular residential house with a small sign hanging by the door. It is very easy to miss it. This is also another distinct feature of Wajima Nuri. Unlike the lacquer ware shops with beautiful store fronts in Kyoto, the Wajima Nuri is usually sold by dealing directly with the workshops. If you want to visit Osaki Nushiya, you need to call ahead to make a reservation. 
 

If you have trouble communicating with them, please feel free to contact me!
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Tsutaya is located in the downtown of Wajima city. It takes about 10 minutes from the train station on foot.

 
This shop is about 170 years old, and now is ran by the sixth generation named Daiku. Though Mrs Daiku is not originally from Wajima, she has brought some fresh ideas to the traditional lacquer ware. Her mother used to collect different kinds of tableware, thus she also enjoyed learning the knowledge of each tableware since she was a kid. Therfore Mrs Daiku has a great sense of coordinating lacquer ware with other tableware that has different texture, color or shape.
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Mrs Daiku came up with the idea of pairing the Japanese lacqurware with western-style tableware. By doing this, the tableware set shows the elegance and the creativity. She is fond of paring the glassware with the lacquer ware. I have seen the paring of a tableware set she did coordinate, and I could not help admiring the wonderful fusion of eastern ancientry and western modernity.
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When designing the Wajima Nuri, Mr Daiku also thinks from a housewife’s point of view and adjusts the size, depth, height and shape. Therefore, the lacquer ware is not only beautiful, but also practical and convenient. They also have many decoration ideas. For example, she has added special curves at the four corners of the bottom of the nest of boxes called jubako. With this design, this lacquer ware becomes an outstanding piece of decoration for any space.
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