Sake Cup / Silver-embossed / Large

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This is a wooden lacquerware sake cup with a decoration of silver (Actual silver is used).
Lacquerware is usually characterized by its smooth texture, but this lacquerware is a new genre of lacquerware that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It has a metallic texture, but when you hold it in your hand, you can feel its warmth. It has a versatile appearance that can be used for any occasion. Of course, it also has the characteristics of lacquerware, such as the ability to change over time and to last for a long time.
We invite you to enjoy lacquerware at home that fits your new lifestyle!

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：800 years ago / 1200AD / Kamakura period in Japan

Kawatsura lacquerware is a nationally designated traditional craft of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. The origin of the manufacturing process is said that people started to lacquer armor during the off-seasons of agriculture. In the Edo period (1603-1867), sales of lacquerware to other prefectures were permitted, and the craft developed by adopting various innovations, such as applying gold and maki-e lacquer. Today, the same techniques and unique characteristics of lacquer are used to produce a wide range of products that are "long-lasting" and allow the wearer to enjoy the "change over time" of lacquerware.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Settsu Urushi / Hiroki Settsu
He has been a lacquerware craftsman for about 30 years. He spent 10 years as an apprentice in Ishikawa Prefecture, where he studied lacquer and maki-e, and is now the third generation to take over the family business in his hometown of Akita Prefecture. He has created not only simple lacquerware, but also silver-embossed lacquerware in a style that matches modern daily life. We will continue to produce lacquerware that you have never seen before.

Craftsman Passion

"We are not going to keep the traditions. We will do our best to update the traditions"
We often hear the term "preserving tradition," but I believe that tradition cannot be preserved by maintenance. I believe that it is necessary to renew it, to make it better and more functional than what our predecessors have created. I believe that the key to preserving tradition is to keep creating and destroying.

Achievement

Received Special Prize at Akita Prefecture Art Exhibition
Received Governor's Prize at Kawatsura Lacquerware General Exhibition
Received Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at National Lacquer Ware Exhibition

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

Width：5.4cm
Depth：5.4cm
Height：7cm
Volume：75cc
Weight：45g

Material & Caution

Materials

Wood
Silver
Lacquer

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about three months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.