Odawara Lacquerware is a traditional craft of Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, finished in a way that preserves the beautiful natural grain of the wood. It is said to have begun in the mid-Muromachi period, when zelkova and other timber cut from the Hakone mountains was turned on a lathe into vessels and coated with raw lacquer rubbed directly into the wood. During the Warring States period, Hojo Ujiyasu invited lacquerers to his castle town and introduced colored lacquer techniques, and in the Edo period the craft developed in Odawara, which flourished as a post town on the Tokaido, expanding its range from everyday items to parts for military equipment. Its two signature techniques are 'suri-urushi-nuri,' in which raw lacquer is applied thinly to preserve the wood grain, and 'kijiro-nuri,' which builds up an undercoat with sabi-urushi (lacquer putty). Zelkova, valued for its durability and resistance to warping, is widely used to make its vessels. In 1984 it was designated a national Traditional Craft.
Origin
The origins of Odawara Lacquerware trace back to the mid-Muromachi period, when zelkova and other timber cut from the forest-rich Hakone mountains was turned on a lathe into bowls and other vessels, then coated with raw lacquer. During the Warring States period, Hojo Ujiyasu, who ruled Odawara, invited lacquerers to his castle town and introduced colored lacquer techniques, laying the foundation for Odawara to develop as a production center.
History
In the Edo period, Odawara flourished as a post town on the Tokaido, and the craft's range expanded from everyday items such as bowls and trays to parts for military equipment such as sword hilts and scabbards, developing into practical lacquerware rooted in the lives of ordinary people. Backed by abundant forest resources, a division of labor took shape between woodworkers and lacquerers, and by the mid-Edo period, shipments of practical lacquerware were in full swing. In 1984, it was designated a national Traditional Craft by the Minister of International Trade and Industry.
Features
Its greatest characteristic is an elegant finish that makes the most of the wood's natural grain. It uses two techniques: 'suri-urushi-nuri,' in which raw lacquer is rubbed in and layered thinly, and 'kijiro-nuri,' which builds an undercoat with sabi-urushi to beautifully bring out the grain — both distinct from lacquerware of other regions in that neither obscures the wood grain. Zelkova, prized for its durability and resistance to warping, is the main wood used, and pieces range from everyday items to tea-ceremony utensils.
Techniques
Suri-urushi-nuri
A technique in which raw lacquer is rubbed into wood turned on a lathe, then wiped off, repeating the process many times over. It preserves the natural beauty of the wood grain while combining strength and visual appeal.
Kijiro-nuri
A technique in which an undercoat is built up on the wood with sabi-urushi, then near-transparent lacquer is layered on top and polished down, bringing out the beauty of the grain in a finish that gains character over the years.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Wood turning
Zelkova and other timber is set on a lathe and shaved into the shape of a bowl or tray, forming the base of a durable vessel resistant to warping.
- 2
Undercoating
Sabi-urushi and similar materials are used to even out the surface of the wood, preparing it so the lacquer will adhere well — a process that determines the beauty of the final finish.
- 3
Lacquering
Raw lacquer is applied and wiped off, or layered on, repeatedly using the suri-urushi-nuri or kijiro-nuri technique, finishing the piece with a texture that makes the most of the wood grain.
- 4
Final polishing
The surface is polished to bring out its luster and highlight the beauty of the grain, completing the piece in a style unique to Odawara Lacquerware.
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Artisans & Workshops
石川漆器
A lacquerware shop founded in 1887 by a family that had served as spear-lacquerers for the Odawara domain. The fourth-generation head, Ishikawa Mitsuru, is a certified Traditional Craftsperson in Odawara Lacquerware, and the shop makes everything from traditional lacquerware to vessels suited to modern life.
Official site →How to Buy
- 石川漆器
- A directly run store about a 10-minute walk from the east exit of Odawara Station. Alongside traditional Odawara Lacquerware, it also carries pieces made in collaboration with ceramic artists, offering vessels suited to everyday use.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
大川木工所
神奈川県小田原市南坂橋2-226-2
A 9-minute walk from JR Hayakawa Station. Offers a 'lacquer polishing experience' in which visitors sand a soup bowl or serving dish with waterproof paper, costing about 1,500–2,500 yen and taking 1.5–2 hours; visitors can take home a one-of-a-kind pattern the same day (reservation required).
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