 acquer crafts which are characteristic for their shiny coloring, as well as their fine, thin and gorgeous ornamentation, are Japan?s specialty goods. According to some records, Marie-Antoinette, the princess of the 18th century French king Louis XVI had collected many lacquer crafts, including Kyoto Lacquers presented by her mother, Maria-Theresia. The most common pianos of today seem to have been coated with a jet-black color, as if they were drawn to that color.
Lacquer crafts, coated with resin extracted from Japanese lacquer trees, have various ornamentations. In Japan, evidence about the use of lacquer crafts by ancient people has already been discovered in archaeological digs, which have survived over 5,000 years. In some foreign countries, this kind of lacquer is usually called JAPAN. The country name of Japan is derived from such wares. Japan is closely related to lacquer crafts. Lacquering, one of the traditional handcrafts in Japan, developed rapidly in Kyoto.
When the capital was moved to Kyoto in 794, the imperial court and aristocrats started to ask for high-quality finished lacquers, ranging from ornamentations for festivals to tea utensils. People in Kyoto enhanced the qualifications of lacquer crafts, including ?gold-relief? made by japanning, painting figures with gold pigment on wooden forms and ?white-layer painting? (where undercoated gold (or silver) pigment lightly appears through semi-transparent lacquer over-coating.) Various techniques came into existence and Kyoto Lacquers? gorgeous characteristics were finally formed. Fundamentally, Kyoto Lacquers aren?t manufactured in a high-volume but are produced through a made-to-order system. Such lacquerware was developed as special or artistic craft rather than routinely-used dishes. They were characterized by their high-quality techniques, and elegant, self-effacing, modest and unwearied designs. This would be the essence of Kyoto Lacquers, which have enchanted people all over the world.
Veteran lacquer workshops like Zohiko have taken over the tradition of Kyoto Lacquers for 350 years. The company was established in 1661. Its predecessor was a store named Zogeya, which dealt with imported articles from China. The third chief executive of Zohiko was enshrined as good manufacturer, and was awarded the title of good-relief producer by the imperial court.
The policy of Zohiko is to manufacture products which can appeal to the heart and mind throughout the years. Staff in Zohiko must further improve ancestral techniques without compromising quality and by not acting as eccentric artists. In addition, we think that keeping the quality at the level of top notch products requires constantly tackling new genres. Lately, there have been collaboration goods with Michelle Odiare fountain pens, Baccala tea utensils, Vacheron Constantin clock dial plates and Davidoff humidors. You might feel Zohiko?s quality and aesthetic sense in these commodities. In addition, we are actively pursuing the development of many different kinds of lacquerware dishes to fit various lifestyles, including ones that can be used not just for traditional Japanese dishes, but also for a variety of common western foods as well.
Kyoto Lacquers have been cultivated over a 1200-year history. They currently continue to engage the heart and mind regardless of age and race through the beauty gathering together the stylishness of Japanese culture. |
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| Oval Tray?6,405 yen |
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Jewelry box with grape design 71,400 yen |
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A coaster set with cherry blossom design (a set of six pieces) 11,025 yen |
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TEL: +81-(0)75-752-7777 FAX: +81-(0)75-752-7778
Address: 10, Okazaki Saisyoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Available languages: English, Japanese
Website: http://www.zohiko.co.jp/
Credit cards: VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, American Express, DC, etc. |
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