The Iwate Kinoshiru-nuri Style of Lacquer Art
There have been many lacquer trees in the Northern Tohoku area including the Appi Region of Hachimantai in Iwate Prefecture since the Jomon Era (14,000 BC-300 BC).
This area is a unique production center of high quality unrefined lacquer tree sap which has a remarkable transparency, coloring and firmness and has been called the largest production center of lacquerware since a long time ago.
During the Feudal Government Era (1603-1868), there were hundreds of lacquer artisans reaching the height of their prosperity.
However, the lacquer industry began declining as time passed along with the entire Japanese lacquer production industry.
In recent years, the Ashiro Urushi Lacquer Research Center was established in Hachimantai in 1983 to restore the tradition of the region's lacquerware culture.
Instruction on Appi-nuri is given here and many lacquer instructors and artists who are carrying on the Appi-nuri technique have come from here.
Appi-nuri involves a base of undercoating overlapped with an overcoating giving it a distinctive high level of firmness and durability.
The Kinoshiru-nuri technique was applied to this work by the modern urushi lacquer artist Natsumi Saitou from Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture.
She was influenced by her father who was a Tsugaru urushi lacquer instructor.
After graduating from the Ashiro Urushi Lacquer Research Center, she devoted herself to her craft.
Her creative urushi lacquer art creates a unique world full of sensitivity called Kinoshiru-nuri.
These urushi lacquer works utilize the genuine properties of urushi lacquer and are elegant masterpieces with a gentle gloss.


Exclusive Paulownia Wood Case
Paulownia wood which makes up the box is the perfect material for storing lacquerware products.
This box is made of high quality Japanese pawlownia wood with a detailed grainy texture.
The strap is a durable braid which doesn't bend easily and is said to have been often used by historical tea master Sen no Rikyu as a tea ceremony equipment.


Lacquer Artist Natsumi Saitou
"Born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture.
Graduated from the Film Studies Course in the School of Design at University.
Completed studies at the Ashiro Urushi Lacquer Research Center in Hachimantai.
Started the original brand (workshop) kinoshiru to expand the possibilities of urushi lacquer art in Ashiro in 2016.
Accepted for the 5th Soba Choco Bowl Exhibition.
Has been highly regarded for numerous exhibitions such as original art work exhibitions, group exhibitions, craft fairs, demonstrative performances, and more."