Make an urushi bowl with an artisan who has made lacquerware for the emperor

Details

• Private experience

• Location: Odawara, Kanagawa

• 1.5 hours

• 2 people max

• Offered in Japanese, with friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English
  (French/German/Spanish interpretation may be available upon request)

Luminous beauty

Shining with a glossy, deep finish, the red and black Japanese lacquerware is authentically inspired by nature, with the core of shikki and the lacquer itself both originating from trees. The organic lacquer is made from the sap of the Urushi tree, which is collected by scraping the trees, and refining and aging the sap. After the core wood is shaped using a lathe and dried using various methods, the first layer of urushi is applied to the wood. This only is the first in many layer of patient applications of urushi.  Black lacquer is applied second, in the process of irourushi-nuri, and further layerers of black or red lacquer can be applied depending on what color the final product will be. Finally, the final step is kijiro-nuri, where clear lacquer is applied, culminating in many layers of lacqer that eventually render the underlying wood resistant to water, salt, alkali, acid, and alcohol and thus also preventing it from rotting. This completely natural lacquer means that the shikki is completely safe for human use, and the smooth finish and rich, inviting sheen of the lacquer, makes shikki perfect vessels for food as well.

What you’ll do

Learn about the history of Japanese Lacquerware and take a tour of the studio. Then, carve your wooden bowl, and polish your completed lacquerware!

Who can attend

Children must be 7+

Availability

Monday - Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 2 (14:00 - 15:30)

Access

55 minutes from Tokyo Station.

Cancellation Policy

Please make your booking at least 24 hours in advance. See cancellation policy here.

* A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.