“Kumazaki’s Studio
Hida Shunkei Workshop”

Feel tradition come alive
in the palm of your hand through
Hida Shunkei’s
charming craftsmanship.

Hida Shunkei is an urushi lacquerware produced around the Takayama area in Gifu Prefecture. Its origins date back to around 400 years ago in the early Edo Period. A hallmark trait is the clear lacquer which highlights the wood grain. Its luster and texture also evolve with continued use, making Hida Shunkei beloved for both its practicality and beauty. I recently had the opportunity to learn lacquer techniques firsthand at the workshop of craftsman Nobuyuki Kumazaki.

I sat at a workbench lined with various tools and nervously began. The first step is medome, a process to prevent uneven lacquer absorption. A solution finely mixed with soil is applied to the vessel and wiped off before it dries. This might sound simple, but it is a crucial step. Next, soy milk made from crushed soybeans is applied to the vessel in two layers. The hands-on experience ended there, but Kumazaki-san continued with several rounds of suriurushi then finally prepared to apply uranuri, the final layer. The vessel’s appearance and texture changed subtly with each step, and I was fascinated and quickly lost track of time.

Kumazaki-san explained that most artisans are hesitant to share their techniques, but he started the program so more people can learn about Hida Shunkei. Through this thoughtful and invaluable experience, I was able to experience its warmth and charm up close.