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Kobayashi Lacquerware

Kara-nuri Mug

Kara-nuri Mug

$159.00 USD
$159.00 USD
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Color

Only 2 left in stock

This beautiful handmade lacquered mug has a unique dotted pattern finish hand-crafted using a spatula, it features the unique Kara-nuri pattern. This popular Tsugaru lacquering technique involves applying multiple coats of colored lacquer and meticulous polishing, resulting in a profound and captivating quality.

The style, called Tsugaru-Nuri, has been passed down for generations in Aomori prefecture. It is characterized by its durability and long-lasting use. This one-of-a-kind mug will be sure to enlighten your morning coffee routine. The finishing techniques offer endless possibilities, allowing for varied combinations of colors and patterns. 

Detail

Size: W 3.3in x L 3.3in x H 3.1in / W 8.5cm x L 8.5cm x H 8cm
Material: Wood
Coating: Natural lacquer

Due to handmade woodworking and lacquer coating characteristics, each product has subtle variations in size, shape, texture, and appearance.

Care ＆ Use

  • Handwash only
  • Do not use in microwave or oven
  • Do not soak in hot water for an extended time
  • Wash with a sponge or something soft and wipe dry immediately after use
  • If you are concerned about the smell of lacquer, leave it in a well-ventilated place for a few days or run it through lukewarm water 2-3 times and wipe it with a soft cloth
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The art and depth of Tsugaru lacquerware

Tsugaru lacquerware is among Japan’s most respected lacquer traditions, defined by its complex layering and burnishing techniques that create surfaces of remarkable depth and durability. Originating several centuries ago in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, it evolved as both a practical craft and a refined artistic expression linked to the northern region’s cultural identity.

Tsugaru lacquerware is grounded in repeated, labor‑intensive application of natural lacquer in multiple coats — often layered more than a dozen times — and then polished to reveal a unique interplay of texture and color. A distinctive aspect of this tradition is the karanuri style, in which lacquer is manipulated with a specially shaped spatula to produce mottled surfaces with subtle variations in hue and pattern. This intricate process results in objects that are both robust in everyday use and exceptionally rich in visual and sensory presence.

Beyond tableware and bowls, Tsugaru lacquerware includes decorative and functional pieces that reflect the craft’s breadth — from lacquered trays and boxes to interior accents — each finished by hand and embodying a patience and depth that make it meaningful for both ceremonial and contemporary living.

Kobayashi Lacquerware traces its origins to the early 19th century, when the Kobayashi family began working with Tsugaru lacquerware in the historic town of Hirosaki. The studio’s founding predates the Meiji era, emerging around 1830 as a regional workshop dedicated to mastering the laborious layering, sanding, and polishing processes integral to authentic Tsugaru urushi lacquerware.

Across six generations, the Kobayashi atelier has preserved the core techniques of the craft while also subtly refining them. Successive family members have apprenticed deeply in both production and design, ensuring continuity of methodology. Today, leadership has embraced a careful balance between honoring tradition and exploring new expressions — including interior pieces and everyday objects that resonate with modern lifestyles while remaining faithful to the time‑intensive lacquer process.

Every piece in the Kobayashi Lacquerware collection reflects this lineage of discipline and refinement. They are handcrafted with attentive layering and polishing, using regionally sourced materials and techniques passed down through the family. The result is not only durable lacquerware but a lived connection to Tsugaru’s enduring cultural heritage — objects that enrich daily rituals and convey a quiet yet profound sense of place.