Wajima Kobo Nagaya

Welcome to Wajima Kobo Nagaya, a vital repository of intangible cultural heritage situated in the heart of the Noto Peninsula. As a scholar of Japanese material culture, I invite you to contemplate the profound significance of…

Our journey begins at the woodworking studio, where the skeletal form of the lacquerware is conceived. In the discipline of Wajima-nuri, this phase is known as kiji-zukuri. …

Proceeding to the next chamber, we encounter the shitaji stage, which is perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Wajima's craft. While the final polished surface of a lacquer bowl is what captures the eye, its legendary durability…

Moving further along the nagaya, the objects begin to lose their rough, earthy appearance and take on a smoother, more refined character. We are now in the naka-nuri or intermediate coating area. …

We now approach the most sensitive area of the complex: the uwa-nuri or final coating room. In a traditional setting, this room would be kept impeccably clean, often with the artisan working in specialized clothing to prevent…

While many Wajima pieces are appreciated for their solid colors, some undergo a further transformation through decorative techniques. One of the most famous is chinkin, or 'sunken gold.' In this studio, you can observe artisans…

The final specialized studio we will visit is dedicated to maki-e, which literally translates to 'sprinkled picture.' Unlike chinkin, which involves carving into the surface, maki-e is a process of painting designs onto the…

As we conclude our tour of Wajima Kobo Nagaya, I hope you have gained a deeper appreciation for the staggering amount of human effort and regional history contained within a single piece of lacquerware. We have traced the journey…