*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a vintage and rather solid Wajima-nuri lacquer tray made around 30 years ago by veteran lacquer artist, Konishi Hiroshi.  It is made of wood and coated in glossy black lacquer.  The front is decorated with a beautiful depiction of matsu pine and a small wooden structure in the distance.  This piece is intended for serving sweets, it would also make a wonderful display item.  Konishi’s signature can be found on the front of the bowl, and it comes with its original paper storage box.  It also comes with a Japanese language profile paper about the artist. 

Konishi Hiroshi (b.1950) is a Wajima-nuri lacquerware artist born and raised in Wajima city.  In 1965 he studied under Komatsu Seiichi at the Kanazawa College of Art, and in 1967 he decided to pursue a career in lacquer art and began training in chinkin (sunken gold lacquerware) under Nitten artist Kadono Iwaji (1925-2013). In the same year, when the Wajima Lacquerware Technical Training Institute was established, he joined as one of the first students.  In 1968 he studied under Matsui Yoshiko, a Japanese traditional crafts exhibition artist, and in 1969 he studied under the Nitten artist Funakake Michiyuki.   In 1970 he graduated from the Urushi Art Technical Training Institute, and in 1971 he became independent, aiming to create his own style.   In 1977 he founded the lacquer art group "Shikko-Kai" and served as its chairman.  In 1987 he created a lacquer mural painting on the wall at the main entrance of the Ishikawa Prefectural Office, and in 1989 he travelled to Brussels in Belgium to introduce Japanese traditional crafts and promote international exchange.  Unfortunately Konishi’s workshop was completely burned down in the fire caused by the 2024 Noto earthquake.  He moved to a temporary workshop, sadly Wajima was hit hard by floods during typhoon season and his new workshop and tools were destroyed.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

*The Wajima lacquer district in Noto was severely damaged during the deadly earthquake on January 1^st, 2024. A large fire tore through the area and destroyed workshops that had been in operation for hundreds of years.  The vintage pieces you find online are all but is left from a large number of workshops.

Wajima nuri refers to lacquerware produced in Ishikawa Prefecture. The process of applying the lacquer is very complex, and there are as many as 124 steps involved. A finely powdered mineral called jinoko is used for the undercoating making it highly resistant and strong. Each piece has up to 8 layers of lacquer, this is the main reason why Wajima lacquerware is widely known throughout Japan for its high quality and durability. Wajima lacquerware commands high prices so purchases are usually reserved for special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries.

Urushi lacquerware refers to products that have been coated in natural lacquer collected from urushi trees. The process for lacquering items is long and very labour intensive, each item requiring multiple layers of lacquer that may take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Heat and humidity are required to dry lacquer evenly and consistently, so Japan’s rainy season and summer months are ideal for this process. Urushi products are not only beautiful but also strong.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.3.8cm (1.4”) x 27cm (10.6”) x 27cm (10.6”)

Tray:  H.4cm (1.5”) x Dia.23.8cm (9.3”)

Condition

The paper box a little discoloured on the interior, the actual tray has little to no wear.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.