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Wajima lacquer lacquerware has been designated as an “Important Intangible Cultural Property: (National Treasure)” by the country for the entire technique that constitutes a series of processes until completion.
It is the only lacquerware in Japan that is based on jet black and vermilion and is designated as an “important intangible cultural asset of the country”. has been said.
One of the reasons why Wajima-nuri is so strong and durable is that diatomaceous earth is used as the base. Diatomaceous earth is the shell of dead microorganisms with glassy characteristics deposited on the bottom of the water. It is characterized by many gaps and light weight. In Wajima-nuri, the lacquer enters the gaps and creates a solid foundation.
It may be easy to understand if you say something like "glass coating" applied to luxury cars. Also, even if it breaks, it can be repaired and used. By repairing the damaged parts, you can restore the beauty of the new one.
Nuno-kise is one of the characteristic techniques of Wajima lacquer lacquerware. It uses a mixture of unrefined lacquer and rice paste called kisemono lacquer to cover weak and easily damaged parts such as the edges of bowls.・Reinforce and reinforce by sticking Kanreisha.
To put it simply, the floors, walls, and pillars of reinforced concrete buildings are similar to using not only concrete but also reinforcing bars to increase strength and durability.
The manufacturing process of Wajima lacquerware is completely divided by many craftsmen, and this division of labor is the key to maintaining the high quality of Wajima lacquerware.
Starting with the woodturners who make the bare wood from wood, the lacquerers who are divided into base, intermediate coating, and overcoating, the lacquer and goldsmiths who apply decorations, and the grinders who flatten the surface in the middle of the process. A single work is created through the collaboration of multiple specialized craftsmen, such as the roiroshi who polishes and polishes.
A training period of at least 5 years is required just to learn that one process.