Kishū Lacquer Pine Motif Jubako Box
Fast & Secure Delivery from Japan to your Door [Shipping Policy]
If you're ordering from the U.S., we recommend checking out our U.S. Customs & Import Info page.
Shop Safely with Encrypted Checkout and Verified Gateways.
Pairs well with
Kishū Lacquer Pine Motif Jubako Box
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
-
Shipping Information
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
Customer Support
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
FAQ’s
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
Contact Us
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
Kishū Lacquer Pine Motif Jubako Box – Refined Simplicity in a Three-Tier Format
Rooted in the prestigious lacquerware tradition of Wakayama's Kishū region, the Kishū Lacquer Pine Motif Jubako Box embodies timeless beauty and practicality. Its three-tier construction allows for graceful meal presentation across multiple courses, whether used for New Year celebrations or seasonal gatherings.
The hand-applied gold pine design symbolizes longevity and prosperity in Japanese culture, while the smooth urethane-coated finish ensures long-lasting brilliance. A restrained and mature design, this jubako honors both wabi-sabi sensibilities and formal elegance.
With dimensions of 8.3 x 8.3 x 7.1 inches (21 × 21 × 18 cm), this piece offers generous storage capacity in a refined silhouette. Whether gifted or used at home, it reflects the spirit of Kishū craft and culinary presentation.
Product Information
Care instructions
Negoro-nuri: The Timeless Beauty of Wear
Among the most distinguished styles of Kishu lacquerware is Negoro-nuri, renowned for its evocative contrast between vermillion red and black. This technique is said to have originated at Negoro-ji Temple in Iwade City, where monks coated everyday utensils with black lacquer over a red foundation.
Through daily use, the surface gradually wore down, allowing the red underlayer to emerge naturally from beneath the black. This unintentional transformation created a nuanced, aged appearance that came to embody wabi-sabi—an appreciation of impermanence and quiet elegance.
Negoro-nuri is characterized by a thick, resilient lacquer surface designed to endure generations of use. As time passes, the visual shift from black to red unfolds subtly, imparting a sense of depth, movement, and spiritual warmth. This graceful aging process is at the heart of Negoro-nuri’s enduring allure.
FAQs
All you need to know about Negoro-nuri Lacquerware.
What makes Negoro-nuri different from other types of Japanese lacquerware?
Negoro-nuri is unique for its layered red-and-black finish. A red undercoat is covered with black lacquer, and over time, natural wear reveals the red beneath. This creates a dynamic, aged look that evolves with use, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—beauty in imperfection and impermanence.
Is the red-and-black contrast in Negoro-nuri intentional or accidental?
Originally, the contrast was a result of daily wear—monks at Negoro-ji Temple used these items so frequently that the top black lacquer wore away. Over time, artisans began to refine and replicate this aged effect intentionally, appreciating its quiet elegance and spiritual symbolism.
Is Negoro-nuri lacquerware durable enough for everyday use?
Yes. One of the hallmarks of Negoro-nuri is its durability. The lacquer is applied in thick, resilient layers, making it resistant to moisture and wear. In fact, its evolving appearance is enhanced by regular use, rather than diminished.
What is the historical significance of Negoro-ji Temple in the development of this style?
Negoro-nuri is named after Negoro-ji, a temple in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture, where the technique is believed to have originated. Monks there created practical lacquerware that aged beautifully through daily use, inadvertently giving rise to one of Japan’s most poetic lacquer traditions.
How should I care for Negoro-nuri lacquerware to preserve its beauty?
Avoid harsh detergents, extreme heat, and prolonged soaking. Gently hand-wash with mild soap and a soft cloth. With time and careful handling, the piece will develop an even richer patina—part of what makes Negoro-nuri so cherished among collectors and tea practitioners.