Niigata Shikki is lacquerware made in Niigata City. It is said to have begun in the Genna era (1615–1624) at the start of the Edo period, when Shunkei-nuri from Akita (Noshiro) was introduced. In the 15th year of Kan'ei (1638), an area where lacquerware was sold exclusively, called 'wandana,' was established in what is now Furumachi 7-bancho. The port town of Niigata was a port of call for the Kitamaebune trading ships, a place where goods and culture gathered, and a variety of lacquering techniques from around the country were brought here. For this reason, Niigata Shikki is called 'a treasure trove of kawari-nuri (decorative lacquer finishes),' and several dozen types of finishes are said to have been handed down. Among them, 'take-nuri (bamboo-imitation lacquer),' so realistic it can be mistaken for real bamboo, is known as a rare finish not seen in other production areas. In March 2003, five techniques, hana-nuri, ishime-nuri, nishiki-nuri, isogusa-nuri, and take-nuri, became a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Chopsticks, trays, bowls, business card holders, and other items remain popular today as tools for everyday life.
Origin
Lacquerware making in Niigata is said to have begun in the Genna era (1615–1624) at the start of the Edo period, originating with the introduction of Shunkei-nuri from Akita (Noshiro). Shunkei-nuri is a finish in which transparent lacquer is applied to show off the beauty of the wood grain. In the 15th year of Kan'ei (1638), an area where lacquerware was sold exclusively, called wandana, was established in what is now Furumachi 7-bancho, and lacquerware making flourished under this protective policy.
History
Niigata prospered as a port of call for the Kitamaebune trading ships and took in lacquering techniques from various regions. In the Meiwa era, craftsmen from Aizuwakamatsu visited and passed on their techniques, and such exchanges with other production areas spurred improvements. By the end of the Edo period, its sales channels had expanded as far as Edo, Osaka, and Hokkaido, and it became one of Japan's leading lacquerware production areas. Take-nuri was devised in 1870 (Meiji 3) by Hashimoto Ichizo, a scabbard lacquerer in Tokyo, and around 1885 (Meiji 18) his senior disciple Hasegawa Zenzaemon passed it on to Yoshida Kyuhei, a lacquerer in Niigata.
Features
Niigata Shikki is characterized by its wide variety of 'kawari-nuri.' Kawari-nuri is a general term for finishes that express various patterns and textures on the surface of a piece by layering and polishing colored lacquers or by using materials such as charcoal powder. In addition to the five techniques designated as a Traditional Craft, a wide range of techniques have been handed down, including mushikui-nuri, seido-nuri, aogai-nuri, shitan-nuri, and maki-e. In recent years, new finishes such as yuhi-nuri and oborogin-nuri have also been developed.
Techniques
Take-nuri (bamboo-imitation lacquer)
Bamboo nodes are shaped with sabi, a paste of lacquer mixed with tonoko (fine polishing powder); the skin and markings of bamboo are expressed with colored lacquer; and makomo (wild rice) powder is used to create a smoky, aged look. The finish is so realistic it can be mistaken for real bamboo, and it has become the representative finish of Niigata Shikki.
Nishiki-nuri and isogusa-nuri
In nishiki-nuri, lacquer is dabbed on with a tanpo made of bundled hemp cord, several colors of lacquer are layered, tin powder is sprinkled on, and the surface is polished flat to reveal a mottled pattern. Isogusa-nuri follows almost the same process and is characterized by a pattern resembling seaweed drifting among the waves. It is said to have been devised by Watanabe of Yahiko in the mid-Edo period.
Ishime-nuri
A technique that uses charcoal powder to express the rough texture of stone. Because it resists scratches, it is often used on the bottoms of vessels and on trays. Ishime-nuri decorated with maki-e is called 'Bandai Maki-e.'
Hana-nuri
Also called nuritate, a technique in which the top coat of lacquer is left as applied, without any polishing or burnishing steps. It mainly uses shuai-urushi, a lacquer mixed with vegetable oil, and produces a soft, full-bodied finish.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
うるし工芸 井村
A combined workshop and shop in Shimoyama, Higashi Ward, Niigata City. It was founded in 1974 by the previous owner as Imura Lacquerware Works and took its current name in 2000. It produces all kinds of Niigata Shikki, including low tables, trays, soup bowls, guinomi sake cups, and chopsticks.
Official site →How to Buy
- うるし工芸 井村
- Sells Niigata Shikki made in its own workshop, with chopsticks from around 2,970 yen per pair and guinomi sake cups from around 11,000 yen. Inquiries are accepted by phone or email.Where to buy →PR
- 新潟漆器製造株式会社
- A Niigata Shikki manufacturer that moved its workshop from Furumachi to Iwamuro Onsen in Nishikan Ward in 2025. The office of the Niigata City Lacquerware Trade Association is also at the same address. The official website offers product information, an online shop, and ordering instructions.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
新潟漆器（新潟漆器製造株式会社）の箸づくり体験
新潟県新潟市西蒲区岩室温泉879-9
An experience in which a craftsman teaches you how to polish out (togidashi) and burnish nishiki-nuri chopsticks, for around 5,000 yen. You can take the finished chopsticks home the same day. Reservation by email required at least 3 days in advance; for 2 to 10 people.
View details →FAQ
Q. Why is Niigata Shikki called 'a treasure trove of kawari-nuri'?
A. Niigata was a port of call for the Kitamaebune trading ships and prospered as a hub where goods and culture were gathered and distributed. As a result, lacquering techniques from various regions were brought here, and a wide variety of finishes such as take-nuri, nishiki-nuri, and isogusa-nuri were adopted, which is how it came to be called this.
Q. What kinds of Niigata Shikki products are there?
A. Everyday items such as chopsticks, trays, bowls, and business card holders are the mainstay. According to Niigata Prefecture's introduction, take-nuri chopsticks (boxed) cost around 3,000 yen, an 8-sun tray in seido take-nuri (bronze-toned bamboo-imitation lacquer) around 10,000 yen, and business card holders from around 13,000 yen.