About Wajima Lacquerware
Wajima lacquerware is produced in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. With traditions dating to the Muromachi period, its exceptional durability comes from mixing locally-sourced diatomaceous earth ('ji-no-ko') into the base. Called the 'King of Lacquerware,' the meticulous layering process and decoration techniques like chinkin (engraving) and maki-e (gold powder decoration) can take months or years per piece.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
地の粉塗り沈金蒔絵螺鈿呂色磨き
Materials
天然漆輪島地の粉（珪藻土）木地（欅・朴など）
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 輪島工房長屋 hands-on experience