Add a touch of elegance to your table with our Urushi Lacquer Dessert & Appetizer Plate Set. Ideal for serving desserts, appetizers, or small bites, these plates are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Each plate, graced with a delicate Hibiscus motif on a Noble Black backdrop, showcases the rich heritage and precision of traditional Ryukyu-style lacquerware from Southern Japan.
Product Details
- Size: 15 cm (6") D x 2 cm (0.8") H
- Color: Noble Black (kuro-nuri)
- Motif: Hibiscus
- Base Material: Japanese cherry birch (Mizume-zakura)
- Finish: Urushi Lacquer
- Origin: Handcrafted in Japan
- Quantity: Five (5) plates
Urushi Lacquer: Durable Elegance with a Natural Guard
Urushi is a natural lacquer from the lacquer tree (T. vernicifluum, Urushi-no-ki in Japanese) polished to achieve a durable, high-luster finish. Urushi possesses strong antibacterial properties, making it a preferred choice for Japanese culinary implements like chopsticks, plates, bowls, trays, and more.
Ryukyu-style Urushi Lacquerware's Unique Characteristics
In Japan, using urushi lacquer dates back to the prehistoric Jomon period. Southern Japan developed its unique "Ryukyu" techniques over time, deeply rooted in the region's subtropical climate and culture.
Distinctive Raised Motifs: A hallmark of Ryukyu lacquerware is using a raised motif technique known as "tsuikin." In this method, lacquer is mixed with pigments to form a paste called "tsuikin-mochi." This paste is spread into thin layers, cut according to the design, and then applied to the lacquered surface, creating a three-dimensional effect. These motifs often depict the region's iconic flowers, such as hibiscus, orchids, and Japanese Hamayu lilies, celebrating the natural beauty of Southern Japan.
Captivating Colors: Ryukyu lacquerware is renowned for its use of "shu-nuri" (Vermillion Red) and "kuro-nuri" (Noble Black) color pallets. Vermillion Red, associated with the South and Yang, symbolizes vitality, encapsulating this color's lively and dynamic nature. Noble Black, associated with the North and Yin, represents dignity, conveying depth, sophistication, and strength.
Meticulous Preparation Process: Ryukyu lacquerware undergoes a lengthy preparation process, including drying the wood for several years, and multiple layers of urushi lacquer coats to enhance durability.
