[Ishikawa/Wajima] Oto Urushi Store Wajima-nuri Couple Soup Bowls, Hika Chinkin — A lifelong lacquer bowl that embodies the craftsmanship of Noto
The moment you hold it in your palm, you are surprised by its lightness and warmth. These Wajima-nuri couple soup bowls, known as the pinnacle of Japanese lacquerware, turn your morning bowl of miso soup into a quiet, ritual-like experience. Every time the petal patterns of the chinkin (sunken gold) reflect the light, I think of the time the artisans of Noto poured into this single bowl.
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The product introduced here is Oto Urushi Store Wajima-nuri Couple Soup Bowls, Black-Inner-Vermilion & Vermilion, Hika Chinkin WA10-3 (¥32,154).
Why Wajima-nuri was born in the land of Noto
Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture is a small port town located near the tip of the Noto Peninsula. It is no mere coincidence that lacquerware production took root here. It was the result of several overlapping conditions: high-quality wood (Noto Hiba) harvested from the mountains, the humid climate of the Sea of Japan which was ideal for drying lacquer, and the fact that the Kitamaebune shipping routes passed through Wajima Port, making it easy to transport products across the country.
Records of it exist from the Muromachi period, and by the Edo period, it was known nationwide as "Wajima-nuri." In 1975, it was designated as a National Traditional Craft. Since then, the training of successors and the passing down of techniques have continued, and many artisan workshops still line the streets of Wajima today. Although many workshops were damaged in the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the artisans have not stopped their efforts toward recovery. Picking up Wajima-nuri is also a way to support the region and its culture.
The Chinkin technique — Gold petals carved into the lacquer surface with a chisel
Among the decorative techniques of Wajima-nuri, Chinkin (sunken gold) requires particularly high skill. Patterns are carved into a fully dried lacquer surface with a fine chisel (chinkin-to), and then lacquer is applied to the grooves, followed by gold powder or gold leaf. When the excess gold is wiped away, the gold remains only in the carved areas, creating a delicate golden picture. This is the mechanism behind the technique.
This Hika Chinkin (scattered flower chinkin) expresses falling petals through the chinkin technique. The work, where every movement of the chisel by a fraction of a millimeter determines the outcome, cannot be replaced by machines. The work of a chinkin artisan, who carves one stroke at a time while reading the depth of the wood with the feel of the blade tip, is a accumulation of intense focus. The golden brilliance of the finished product can be called a crystallization of that time. Furthermore, because Wajima-nuri uses a base made by mixing lacquer with a powder made from fired diatomaceous earth called "jinoko," it is considered more scratch-resistant and durable for long-term use compared to lacquerware from other regions.
Why I chose these couple soup bowls
Oto Urushi Store is a long-established manufacturer based in Wajima that continues to uphold traditional Wajima-nuri production methods. The WA10-3 is a set of couple bowls in black-inner-vermilion and vermilion, featuring Hika Chinkin patterns on the deep black and vermilion exteriors, with a bright vermilion finish on the inside. The size is 12.2 cm in diameter and 7 cm in height, made of wood and finished with lacquer. Users who have actually held them have commented, "The texture is wonderful and makes me want to use them every day," and "They are elegant bowls."
The price is ¥32,154 (tax included). Considering it as a traditional craft that reflects the handiwork of an artisan, it is an investment in a tool that can be used for a lifetime. As current stock is limited to a few items, I recommend checking soon if you are considering them as a gift.
Situations where I want to use them
In the morning, I wake up a little early and pour miso soup into the bowl. The morning spent wrapping my hands around a bowl where golden flowers float on a black lacquer surface makes me feel a little more upright just by doing so. Wajima-nuri bowls function as tools to create a quiet time for myself amidst a busy daily life.
There is also the way of using them as a matching set for a couple on their 25th wedding anniversary (Silver Wedding) or 50th wedding anniversary (Golden Wedding). The pair of black and vermilion bowls elevates the status of the space just by being placed on the table for a celebration. I can also imagine taking them out from the back of the cupboard as soup bowls for guests. By keeping them carefully stored and using them only on special days, a rhythm is created in daily life.
Wajima-nuri couple bowls have long been chosen as milestone gifts, such as for a father's 60th birthday or a mother's retirement. Since they arrive in a paulownia wood box, they are practical and ready to be given as a gift. These bowls sincerely respond to the sentiment of wanting to give something that will last or something that can be used for a lifetime.
Care and tips for long-term use
While it is often thought that lacquerware dislikes water, the truth is that 'dryness is the greatest enemy of moisture.' After use, wash by hand with a soft sponge and mild detergent, then immediately wipe away moisture with a dry cloth. Dishwashers and microwaves cannot be used. Avoid storing in direct sunlight or dry places.
If used correctly, the lacquer will deepen in richness year by year, developing a 'well-used luster.' Many lacquerware enthusiasts call this 'nurturing' the piece. Even if a small scratch occurs, Wajima workshops can often handle repairs and re-lacquering. The true pleasure of Wajima-nuri is that the purchase is not the end, but the beginning of a long relationship with the artisan.
Other masterpieces from the same region to consider
The WA10 series from the same Ofuji Lacquerware Store also includes a higher-grade couple soup bowl set featuring Setsugekka (snow, moon, and flower) maki-e decoration.▶ View Wajima-nuri Couple Soup Bowls Setsugekka Maki-e WA10-1 (¥45,892) on Amazon. Maki-e is a technique where a design is drawn on the lacquer surface with lacquer, and gold or silver powder is sprinkled on before it dries, giving it a delicate expression different from Chinkin. This is another candidate to consider for special milestone gifts.
There are also couple chopsticks that feature the same Hika Chinkin pattern as the soup bowls.▶ View Wajima-nuri Couple Chopsticks Black/Vermilion Hika Chinkin WA9-4 (¥5,906) on Amazon. By creating a sense of unity with the bowls and chopsticks, the atmosphere of Wajima will drift across your dining table. This combination is also a popular choice for gift sets.
Points to consider when choosing for gifts and anniversaries
Wajima-nuri couple bowls are particularly appreciated for occasions such as wedding anniversaries like silver and golden weddings, longevity celebrations like the 60th, 70th, and 77th birthdays, retirement gifts, and wedding favors. These are all occasions where items that are 'long-lasting' and 'special' are sought after. They arrive in a paulownia box and can be presented with ceremonial gift wrapping (noshi).
In terms of price, the figure of ¥32,154 is by no means cheap. However, considering that lacquerware can be used for decades while being repaired, the cost-performance over the years is excellent. When gifting to someone who 'does not want to increase their belongings,' the idea of choosing a tool rather than a consumable item tends to be well-received.
Summary
Wajima-nuri couple soup bowls are tools that quietly bring the time of Noto into your daily dining table. Every time the Chinkin petals sway in the light, I think of the hands of someone I have never met touching them. The luster that deepens the more you use them makes the bowl uniquely your own. I simply feel respect for the techniques that the artisans of Noto have continued to protect.
Please bring this one-of-a-kind artisan craft into your home.
▶ View 'Ofuji Lacquerware Store Wajima-nuri Couple Soup Bowls Hika Chinkin WA10-3' on Amazon
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