[Gifu/Hida Takayama] 400-year-old amber hues transform your tea time
The moment I placed the teacup down, the atmosphere of the table changed. Why does having just one wooden tea saucer make everyday gestures look so refined? The "Shunkei-nuri" lacquerware, passed down in Hida Takayama for 400 years, holds such a mysterious power.
The background of this craft
The origins of Hida Shunkei-nuri date back to the early 17th century. At that time, many skilled carpenters and master temple builders who had worked on the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine were active in Hida Takayama. One craftsman, while drying lumber, was captivated by the beauty of the wood's natural grain. Could this be finished with lacquer while preserving that beauty? From this inspiration, the Shunkei-nuri technique was born, designed to let the wood grain show through. It is characterized by a translucent amber color and possesses a unique texture that sets it apart from other types of lacquerware. This craft could only have been born because the mountainous land of Hida was rich in high-quality natural wood and gathered craftsmen skilled in carpentry. In 1975, it was designated as a National Traditional Craft, and it continues to be carefully made by the hands of craftsmen in Takayama workshops today.
Craftsman techniques and dedication
The greatest feature of Shunkei-nuri is the coating that "does not kill the wood grain." Many lacquerwares are coated repeatedly to cover the expression of the wood, but Shunkei-nuri is the opposite. By carefully layering thin, transparent lacquer (or cashew paint), the goal is to "show" the wood grain of the material as it is. This begins with the selection of the base material. Craftsmen identify parts that produce a uniform and beautiful grain and carve them out by hand one by one. Cutting with a machine would be faster, but the flow of the grain would be slightly misaligned, ruining the beauty. The insistence on manual work is because the "face" of the finished product would change. Even after applying the lacquer or paint, they repeat the polishing process many times while managing the temperature and humidity of the drying process. Only then is the amber luster that seems to shine from within when it catches the light born.
Reasons for choosing this product
The "Hida Shunkei-nuri Tea Saucer Set of 5" produced by Nakayama Lacquerware is carved out of solid natural wood boards by craftsmen one by one and finished. The thickness of the rim is about 4 millimeters. It is not too thin, yet not clunky, and this exquisite balance naturally complements the teaware. The precision of the finish, where all five pieces stack perfectly at the same height, is unique to the work of a craftsman's hands. Whether for guests or for your own daily tea time, its high versatility, which fits any teacup, is also attractive. The price is ¥5,806 (tax included). Considering that natural wood is carved by hand one by one and carefully layered with lacquer, this price for five pieces is a convincing compensation for the craftsman's work.
I want to use it in scenes like this
On a holiday morning, a cup of hojicha carefully brewed in a teapot. When placed on an amber wooden tea saucer instead of a plastic coaster, it feels like a "proper time" begins just from that. Or, on a day when you have important guests. If the tea saucer you offer with a "please" is Shunkei-nuri, your feelings might be conveyed without needing words. It should also be a prestigious choice as a gift for someone who values Japanese craftsmanship. Since the set of five is elegant even without a gift box, it is easy to choose as a practical gift for weddings or housewarmings.
When there is one authentic item in your daily life, the texture of your living changes a little. I think Hida Shunkei-nuri tea saucers are things that bring about such quiet changes.
▶ See the Hida Shunkei-nuri Tea Saucer Set of 5 on Amazon
Shunkei-nuri, which the craftsmen of Hida Takayama have protected for 400 years. Its amber color will surely become the quiet protagonist of your tea time.
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