Kanshitsu Plate
made by Mayuko Fujitsuka
Dry Lacquer Plate
These plates are made of quilted cotton and linen that are soaked in urushi lacquer and then hardened so as to resemble the soft shape of the fabric. The base is made up of a number of layers to make it strong and is finished with a mixture of black urushi and charcoal powder to give it a strong matte finish. This technique is also known as Kanshitsu (乾漆銘), or dry lacquer, in Japanese.
These plates were originally made to serve sweets alongside green tea, but can also be used to serve other snacks or small items.
Guest artist Mayuko Fujitsuka makes all her pieces by hand. She likes to feel each vessel become stronger and smoother with each layer of urushi she applies. Urushi is extracted from the sap of lacquer trees and is used for painting and bonding. It has a strong connection to Japanese life and culture and is used for both everyday and ceremonial vessels. The most characteristic feature of lacquer is that it dries in a moderately hot and humid environment. It is a special material suited to the Japanese climate. It is also resistant to alcohol, alkaline and acids.
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Approx. dimensions: 13 cm Length x 11 cm Width x 1 cm High
Material: Urushi, charcoal powder, linen, quilt cotton
Care Instructions: Hand wash with lukewarm water and soap, food safe, store away from direct sunlight
Hand-made in Tokyo, Japan
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Urushi is the sap of the Urushi tree. It has strong adhesive properties and is used as a coating material that, when hardened, becomes extremely durable and produces a glossy finish. It can be found in many parts of East Asia and has been used in Japan for several thousand years. When hardened, urushi is very resistant to acids, alcohol and alkalis and is durable enough to last several hundred years. Urushi vessels have been found in excavations dating from the Jomon period (8000-300 BC). Cases have even been reported where the original wooden base has completely rotted away, but the urushi coating has remained, retaining its colour and quality.
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Urushi ware will rarely be damaged if it is used for its original purpose. However, there are a few points to remember regarding how it is washed and stored. If these guidelines are followed, Urushi ware will enhance the aesthetic quality of your life for many years to come.
Urushi Ware can be washed with a standard mild household detergent. Scrubbing with sponges, brushes, or steel wool will cause scratches and should be avoided.
Avoid using Metal Cuttlery on Urushi Surfaces, as it will leave scratches. Wooden Cutlery or Chopsticks are advised.
Do not microwave Urushi ware as the electromagnetic waves will burn Urushi.
Do not use automatic dishwashers and tumble dryers, as the rapid change in temperature can damage the wooden core of Urushi ware.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and store in a dark place.
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Item descriptionUrushi Ware is made from completely natural materials. The lacquer is derived straight from a tree, filtered, and occasionally blended with natural pigments. The typical core of Urushi Ware is wood, which is sometimes reinforced with linen or cotton and coated in a mixture of Urushi and various soil powders. Charcoal is traditionally used for sanding. Urushi Ware that has been damaged can be repaired and re-lacquered. The lacquering method follows a tradition of hundreds of years and involves completely manual work. This produces a natural product that will endure for generations.
