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Urushi is an excellent natural material which is good for both the environment and the human body.

In each region of the globe Man has discovered indigenous materials to create with.

Through perseverance and application great art forms have been developed.

However, in the modern world where efficiency and low cost are a high priority, occupation which involve natural materials and hand-craftsmanship are very difficult to sustain.


The work of an urushi craftsman starts with the growing of urushi trees in the mountains.

At each stage of the process specialist knowledge and long experience are a necessity.

The craft is now faced with modern-day economic pressures and a lack of young people to carry on the work.


Even so, we respect the traditional Japanese lifestyle that has lived in harmony with nature and would like to pass these values on to future generations.

Using traditional materials and techniques and applying a high level of skill with a sense of beauty, we are endeavouring to produce high quality pieces relevant to a modern life-style.

Beauty and ease of use are our foremost priority.

If decoration is necessary we mainly use a technique called 'chinkin'.

Compared with 'maki-e', chinkin is not a well-know technique.

It is done by carving into the urushi surface, filling the grooves with urushi, and then applying gold-leaf, gold, silver or coloured powder.

Urushi still holds many mysteries and active research is being carried out to explore its diverse possibilities.

We are following this research with great interest in the hope of using it in our future work.


From now on, we hope to deepen our understanding of the world through nature and mutual exchange with different cultures.


We look forward to receiving your order.


Sincerely,


Masaki and Tomoko Shioda
Shioda Wajima-nuri Urushi Studio

Address : So-39, Yamanoue-machi, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 928-0014 JAPAN
Telephone : +81-768-23-0885
E-mail : shioda@eos.ocn.ne.jp