Chopsticks / Zokoku Nuri / 1

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

These chopsticks are made using a technique called Zokoku Nuri.

It is called “Zokoku Nuri” after its founder, Tamakazi Zokoku. The wood is repeatedly coated with lacquer and finished by sprinkling it with powdered Makomo, a native plant that grows in ponds and riversides. The lacquer has a deep folk art flavor, and the more it is used, the more “glossy” it becomes and the more austere it becomes.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：400 years ago / 1600AD / Edo period in Japan

"Kagawa Shikki" was developed in the Edo period under the rule of the feudal lord of Takamatsu who had a deep appreciation for both culture and the arts. In particular, it was the artistic achievements of Tamakaji Zokoku (1806-1869) which established a strong foundation for the development of an arts industry in Kagawa. Tamakaji Zokoku went to Kyoto in his early twenties and was blessed with many opportunities to study different art forms under different famed professionals. These included calligraphy, painting, and lacquering, an artistic practice originating in China and visible only in famous Japanese temples and shrines. Zokoku eventually developed these Chinese lacquerware techniques into his own original form. The five lacquerware techniques established by Zokoku, "kinma", "zonsei","chositsu",'gotonuri", and "zokokunuri" have successfully been preserved to this day and in 1978 they were designated as traditional Japanese handicrafts by the national government marking the first entry from Shikoku Island. Efforts to train young artisans and preserve these traditional techniques are actively being made with the Kagawa Prefectural Urushi Lacquerware Institute and Takamatsu Kogei Senior High School also exploring new ways of utilizing lacquer.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Nakata Lacquerware Studio

We are a workshop located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and for over 80 years, starting from our grandfather's generation, we have been crafting products from wood and lacquer. From lacquerware such as chopsticks and plates to lacquered furniture like benches and tables, everything is made in-house. At Nakata Lacquerware Studio, we focus on creating practical designs that make the most of the materials we use. The texture of lacquerware changes and evolves the more it is used, gradually blending into your hands and daily lifestyle.

Craftsman Passion

Bringing Lacquer into Daily Life

Each of our pieces is carefully crafted using natural lacquer, highlighting the unique characteristics of the materials. Lacquerware is something that becomes more enjoyable as it ages, with its appearance evolving the more it is used. By incorporating lacquerware into your daily life, you can nurture and experience the true beauty of these products over time.

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Length : 22cm

Material & Caution

Materials

Bamboo
Lacquer

Caution

If we do not have the product in stock, it will take a month to produce.