Kishu-shikki

Lacquerware from Wakayama known for affordable everyday tableware.

Kishu-shikki is a lacquerware tradition from Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, also known as Kuroe-nuri after the historic production center of Kuroe. With over 600 years of history, it became renowned for producing affordable, high-quality lacquerware for everyday use. Kishu artisans are especially skilled in negoro-nuri, a technique where red lacquer over black lacquer is deliberately worn through use to reveal the black layer beneath, creating a prized patina of age and use.