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Taya Shikkiten

Swimming Pufferfish Wajima Lacquerware Sake Cup

Swimming Pufferfish Wajima Lacquerware Sake Cup

$279.00 USD
$279.00 USD
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Only 3 left in stock

A delightful expression of traditional Wajima lacquerware, this sake cup by Taya Shikkiten features a meticulously detailed pufferfish swimming through black lacquer. Crafted using the maki-e technique, the artisan applies precious metal powders to depict the fish's round form and fine texture, capturing a sense of gentle buoyancy as it floats mid-swirl. Subtle gold lines suggest the water’s movement, animating the design with grace.

The glossy black interior serves as a dramatic stage, enhancing the glimmer of each gilded detail. When filled, the sake reflects and dances across the illustration, making every pour an engaging moment of discovery.

Handcrafted in Wajima—a region known for centuries of lacquerware excellence—this cup is both a celebration of nature and a showcase of artisan mastery. Whether for a special occasion or a personal indulgence, it adds a playful yet sophisticated touch to the drinking experience.

Detail

Size: W 2.8in x L 2.8in x H 1.8in / W 7cm x L 7cm x H 4.5cm
Capacity: 50cc / 1.7oz
Material: Wood, gold powder
Coating: Lacquer

Care ＆ Use

  • Handwash only
  • Keep it dry
  • Avoid metal scrubs or abrasive detergents
  • Store safely
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Wajima Lacquerware: Built to Last, Designed to Endure

Wajima lacquerware comes from the coastal town of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture and is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most durable and refined lacquer traditions. Its reputation is built not only on visual beauty but also on resilience: each piece is coated with multiple layers of lacquer fortified by finely ground diatomaceous earth from the region. This foundational material, combined with careful reinforcement techniques like cloth layering, gives Wajima ware its famed strength.

The process is extensive—taking up to a year to complete—and involves more than 100 individual steps, all executed by hand. Traditional decoration methods such as maki-e and gold inlay add elegance without compromising functionality. Whether used in a ceremonial setting or in daily life, Wajima lacquerware is made to last for generations, prized for its warmth in the hand and understated richness in form.

Brand History

Taya Shikkiten is a Wajima-based lacquerware studio led by its tenth-generation successor, Takahiro Taya. The family lineage is known to date back over two centuries. Today, the workshop brings together 30 artisans—each encouraged to create freely without top-down design restrictions. This open studio culture has allowed new forms and ideas to emerge alongside centuries-old techniques.

What distinguishes Taya Shikkiten is its adaptability. In addition to traditional sake cups and bowls, they now produce modern pieces such as lacquered fountain pens—products developed with overseas customers in mind. Their guinomi sake cups, for example, are not only shaped with intention but designed to create a visual moment, like when poured sake reveals a koi swimming below the surface.

While rooted in tradition, Taya Shikkiten continues to explore new ways of bringing lacquerware into everyday life. Whether through hospitality experiences, rentals, or lifestyle collaborations, the aim is always the same: to offer pieces that are beautiful to see, satisfying to touch, and capable of enriching the rituals of daily living.