From Shin <Core> to surface, made by 100% of Japanese Shistu <Lacquer>

Yamagishi Shokado started a business known as the most historical “lacquer shop” (a master) in Wajima-city, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan during the Edo feudal era.

Brothers, Soyo and Shodo Yamagishi, are the 17th generation.

Shinshitsu art Soyo Yamagishi
For Soyo Yamagishi’s profile, please click here
Shinshitsu lacquer art
For Shodo Yamagishi’s profile, please click here

Yamagishi Shokado has been known as a lacquer shop of “the Wajima lacquering technique,” but in 2000, Soyo and Shodo developed a new lacquer technique. In order to cultivate a new way for lacquerware, they set up “a lacquer laboratory.”

They explored a totally different technique from the conventional lacquerware industry such as “the Wajima lacquering technique.”
Without using wood material as core, which may contribute to deterioration of lacquerware, they started to create an artwork with new technique “Shin Shitsu”, which is made by 100% Japanese lacquer.

Shinshitsu art only using lacquer sap from Japan

Needless to say, the core which supports the piece of art is made of “lacquer,” and not “wooden material” which requires some restoration or else it may be cracked in the future. The whole artwork of “Shin Shitsu” is made by lacquer from an internal core to its surface.

Shinshitsu art sake cup made by only lacquer sap from Japan

In extreme weather, wooden material may absorb moisture or become dry, and steadily deteriorate. During summer months, it may get moldy. Throughout the winter, it is possible to become dried and cracked. Even the lacquer that is applied onto a container of wooden material can become aged and deteriorated. Different climates and environments affect wooden material greatly.

Thus, wooden material used as the core has limitations giving the conventional lacquerware a limited life.

Yamagishi Shokado played the role of “producer” in a system of labor division for the Wajima lacquering industry, but he is also associated with lacquering art.

However, there are still a lot of questions to ask. If “Lacquerware takes one year to complete, but can be easily broken and deteriorated, why do we restore it again and again?”

From such background, “Shin Shitsu” was thoroughly studied and developed.

Shinshitsu lacquer art

Artwork made through “Shin Shitsu” does not need any restoration. Wherever you take in the world, it will not be cracked or broken.

At first, I would like you to know “Shin Shitsu” or “essence of lacquer.”

Please refer for “Shin Shitsu” here

Please refer here for “why we are so particular for “lacquer from Japan” or “100% lacquer?” Please click here

Shinshitsu lacquer art

Shinshitsu lacquer art

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