It all started with a single scene
Tsuchen Urushi, a lacquerware maker, has its workshop nestled in the mountains of Sabae, Fukui Prefecture.
Their showroom is packed with countless pieces of lacquerware, including bowls and tiered boxes, with scarcely any space in between.
The sight of a row of makie bowls, each with a unique design, and the subtle glimmer of the lacquer’s luster, remains vivid in my mind. It wasn't just beautiful; it had a depth that seemed to reflect the passage of countless years.
When I experienced that breathtaking scene, I was deeply moved by the power of Tsuchen’s craftsmanship once again, and I strongly felt, "I want to share this richness with many people."
And so, we began to create lacquerware together with Tsuchen.
The strength and beauty of "unchanging forms"
Bowls have traditional shapes that have been passed down through generations, such as "hotei" (Hotei-shaped) and "hasori" (rim-flared). I believe that these shapes, which have remained unchanged for hundreds of years, embody the wisdom accumulated by our ancestors.
Among them, the "hasori-wan" (rim-flared bowl) particularly captivated me.
With its plump roundness and a rim that gently flares outwards.
It has a presence that allows one to imagine the lightness when held, the soft curve that fits the hand, and even the ease of drinking when brought to the mouth.
Suddenly, I looked up and saw tiered boxes lined up right next to them.
In contrast to the soft curves of the hasori-wan, their straight lines and surfaces create a refined impression, and by eliminating excess, they highlight the beauty of the lacquer itself.
I feel that this "universal beauty" has the power to move people of all generations. That's why I wanted to create vessels in this traditional form that could accompany daily life for a long time.
Four lacquerware pieces from Amenoie
This time, Tsuchen Urushi specially created four types for us:
soup bowls, zoni bowls, lidded bowls, and tiered boxes.
For the bowls, we chose the "hasori" shape, which has been cherished for generations, and for the tiered boxes, a simple form that best highlights the beauty of lacquer.
We paid particular attention to the finish of the lacquer, consulting with Tsuchen many times to ensure they would suit both New Year's dining tables and everyday life.
Soup Bowl
A soup bowl perfect for your morning miso soup.
The light feel of the lacquer and the gentle transfer of heat seem to soothe the mind even on busy mornings.
It's a bowl that gently accompanies your desire to savor that everyday cup with the utmost care.
Zoni Bowl
It looks perfectly suited for serving Zoni on New Year's Day.
Slightly larger than a regular soup bowl, it holds plenty of ingredients while still maintaining an elegant appearance.
Although its name suggests it's for zoni, that's not its only purpose.
It's also ideal for hearty soups like tonjiru (pork miso soup) or kenchinjiru (vegetable soup), and is likely to become a go-to piece for everyday meals.
Lidded Bowl
This is a lidded bowl, identical in shape and size to the Zoni bowl.
Since heat is retained slowly, it's perfect for dishes where steam adds to the deliciousness, such as donburi (rice bowls) or noodles.
The addition of a lid lends an air of elegance to its appearance, making it well-suited for entertaining guests.
Towards the end of the year, a lidded bowl would also be perfect for New Year's Eve soba.
Tiered Box (Jubako)
This somewhat compact 15cm square tiered box is just right for packing about two servings.
Tiered boxes are often thought of as "for Osechi only," but I believe they can be used much more freely.
Since there are no partitions, you can put anything you like, making it easy to use depending on the day's meal or occasion. It's a convenient item to have, not just for Osechi, but also for everyday entertaining, picnic lunches, or storing Japanese sweets.
The texture of the lacquer finish determines the "everyday specialness"
In the world of lacquerware, there are methods where lacquer is applied repeatedly until the wood grain is no longer visible, and also methods where the wood grain is subtly preserved, allowing one to feel the very breath of the material.
This time, for the exterior, we sought an elegant finish where the wood grain subtly shows through, and we asked Tsuchen to create many prototypes.
The aim was to achieve the crisp depth of lacquer while not losing the warmth of the wood.
The time spent searching for this exquisite balance felt like weaving a story together with the craftsman.
On the other hand, for the interior, we applied a slightly thicker coat, just enough to prevent the wood grain from showing through, so that the food served would look beautiful.
By subtly varying the finish on the inside and outside, even with the same color, different expressions emerge within a single piece, resulting in a finish with a sense of depth.
The colors of the bowls are:
"Black Lacquer" with deep shading, and
"Kodai Shu" (Ancient Vermillion), which evokes a sense of nostalgia and adds warmth to the dining table.
We decided on these two colors.
The tiered box is made with "black lacquer," which best showcases the depth of the lacquer.
As "lacquerware that accompanies modern life"
Classic lacquerware might be perceived by many as something for special occasions.
However, Tsuchen Urushi's bowls possess a softness that seamlessly blends into daily dining, while also offering an "everyday specialness" that makes you want to straighten your posture a little.
The elegance that makes you involuntarily take a deep breath the moment you hold it.
I feel that this is not just the charm of the lacquer material itself, but also the power of craftsmanship that has been carefully passed down over a long time.
Lacquerware is a vessel whose luster develops with use, slowly deepening its expression.
We hope you enjoy this process of slow change as it accompanies your life.
