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Home|Products: PlatesCurved square white Echizen lacquer plate (15cm/6in)
Item Description
Curved square white Echizen lacquer plate (15cm/6in)

Curved square white Echizen lacquer plate (15cm/6in)[080721]

Our Selling Price: 2,200Yen (tax excl.)
Quantity:

Soft in color and sharp in form


White is not a traditional color for Japanese lacquer ware. The maker has created this modern white plate with Japanese lacquer techniques. Off-white Japanese lacquer ware shows a different expression from cool white porcelain ware. It is soft and warm in color and touch. You can create a novel airy table setting. The size is good for sweets at tea time and for a small individual serving plate at dinner.


  Japan lacquer ware

Nowadays, Japanese lacquer ware is crafted from two types of materials and two types of lacquer. The materials are wood and synthetic resin. Wood ware insulates well, and is good for keeping soups and teas hot. It is lightweight and pleasant to the touch. Synthetic resin is stronger against changes in temperature and not easily deformed. It can be used in the refrigerator. It is heavier than wood ware and does not insulate as well. However, synthetic resin ware is usually cheaper than wood ware, so that it can be used casually. The two types of lacquer are urushi and urethane. Urushi is made from the sap of the Urushi tree. It is the best of natural lacquers. The urethane is a synthetic lacquer to imitate urushi. It is not as good as urushi in the touch and smoothness, even though it is tougher against light and heat, and cheaper.


  Echizen lacquer ware

Echizen is found in Ishikawa prefecture and is the home of this particular type of lacquer ware. Its history is believed to begin in the 6th century. The emperor at that time commissioned a lacquerer to re-coat his kanmuri, or formal headgear. In addition to re-coating the kanmuri, the lacquerer also presented the emperor a black lacquered bowl. The emperor was impressed with his work, and it is thought that this encouragement led to the establishment of Echizen lacquer as a special craft.
Several coats of lacquer are applied to each piece and left to harden naturally. Echizen pieces show no brush marks or blemishes, and are well-known for its smooth gloss and quality. Bowls, trays, and stacking boxes are the most common examples of this craft. Currently, the Japanese government recognizes 44 Master Craftsmen of this art.


Production regionEchizen (Fukui Japan)
Dimensions151*151*h30mm (5.94*5.94*h1.18in)
Weight145g (5.11oz)
MaterialWood/resin composite
Coating / GlazeUrethane lacquer