When I was a kid, I found very beautiful red trees on the mountain road of temple side. I broke some branches and brought them to my mother as a present. She said to me surprisingly, “This is a “Urushi” tree, so you should not touch even though it is beautiful”. I didn’t know it and was discouraged. After a while my face and hands inflamed. I’ve decided not to reach the tree since then.
However I noticed that “Urushi” was a coating composition of Japan ware, which was impart from generation to generation, and added a touch of color to Japanese food culture. I love its indescribable warmth. “Urishi” is Japan in English. It assumes our country name and lives in our culture.
My favorite Japan ware, “Tsugaru-painting” chopsticks, lives more than 30 years. We use chopsticks almost everyday as you know, but it hasn’t ever broken. It is called “Tsugaru foolish painting”, because we continuously paint “Urushi” and dry more than 40 times. This is a hallmark of Tsugaru region.
Recently chemical technologies have evolved, and it is getting harder for amateurs to identify the real Japan ware, but I wanna cherish it as a part of Japanese traditional craftworks.
Posted by Glnovis 
