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

This listing is for a reasonably large Wajima-nuri lacquerware sakazuki sake cup made by veteran lacquer artisan, Nishi Katsuhiro.  It is made of wood and the interior is decorated with a gold makie depiction of a dragon over a vermillion lacquered base.  This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Dragon back in either 2000 or 2012.  The signature of the craftsman can be found on the bottom, and it comes with a lacquered stand for displaying the cup.  It also comes with its original signed wooden storage box.

Nishi Katsuhiro is a Wajima-nuri lacquer craftsperson and a certified lacquer artist of Wajima-ware.  He studied under Mitani Goichi before becoming independent and opening his own workshop in 1975.  He was certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as a Traditional Craftsperson of Wajima in 1993, and his specialty is ‘tenbori’, a technique used to create depth and three dimensional effects.  His work has been selected for various exhibitions and he has received several awards at a national level, the first being the Japan Crafts Association Award at the 15^th Japan Lacquer Art Exhibition.  He received the same award again at the 21^st Japanese Lacquer Art Exhibition.  He also received the Japan Crafts Association Encouragement Award at the 41^st Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and the Cultural Affairs Award at the 22^nd Japan Traditional Lacquer Exhibition.  He won the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 35^th Japan Traditional Lacquer Exhibition, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 60^th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.  He also received the Japan Crafts Association Award at the 66^th Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and he is a member of the prestigious Nihon Art Academy.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

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.

Makie refers to a crafting technique in Japan from presumably the Nara period. Craftspeople sprinkle gold or silver metal powder over successive layers of lacquer before it dries. Traditionally pure gold powder, pure gold flakes, and pure silver powder were used to complete motifs on lacquerware. The process of applying gold or silver powder requires both time and skill. At first the craftsman sketches out the design. He or she then adds charcoal powder to the base of the relief, and then a layer of urushi lacquer. Gold or silver powder is sprinkled over the wet lacquer, which acts as an adhesive. The surface is polished and then the process is repeated over and over until a beautiful raised pattern appears.                                                                                           

Sizes

Box:  H.10.6cm (4.1”) x 17.7cm (6.9”) x 17.7cm (6.9”)

Cup:  H.4.5cm (1.7”) x Dia.15.3cm (6”)

Stand:  H.12.8cm (5”)                                                                                                              

Condition

It’s in very good condition with minor surface wear, but the stand has a few minor marks and the interior of the box is a little spotty.                                                                           

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.