These Echizen Lacquerware side plates are exquisite items combining the elegant shine of lacquer by "Tame-nuri" with the detailed gold designs made with "Chinkin" done by the second generation Ritsuzan Tomita. 

Tame-nuri is a lacquer coating technique where the red color can be seen through translucent lacquer by applying a coat of translucent black lacquer on top of a middle coat of red lacquer. This technique gives the surface a lustrous coat and a shine that creates a mirror-like reflection. 

"Chinkin" is a traditional technique used to create detailed designs with gold on lacquerware surfaces. Unlike Maki-e, where gold leaves and powder are directly applied to a surface, for Chinkin, shallow and very thin grooves are made onto the surface which are then filled with gold leaves and powder. This method gives the gold designs an almost "sunken" appearance on the beautiful lacquerware surface as the literal definition of Chinkin is "sunken gold" in Japanese. 

The pine branches depicted in these plates are from young pine trees. They are used to make New Year decorations and hold an auspicious meaning. As these designs are made by hand, each pine branch is unique with the gold leaves applied on different places on the branch. These thin and even lines of the pine needles and the detailed shape of the pine cones are the result of high-quality craftsmanship. The Japanese calligraphy on the bottom of the stem is the signature of Ritsuzan Tomita. 

These plates are perfect for entertaining guests on celebratory occasions such as New Year or milestone birthdays. They also can be used to serve Japanese sweets when serving matcha tea or Japanese green tea to guests. The set includes 5 plates so they can be used for gatherings and parties up to 5 people.

Echizen lacquerware has developed techniques for product diversification and mass production in response to changing lifestyles and market needs. Echizen lacquerware is easy to use, durable, and beautiful, and is loved not only by households but also by cooking professionals, accounting for more than 80% of all lacquerware for the food industry and commercial use in Japan.

PRODUCT DETAIL

• Quantity: 5pcs
• Dimension: D15cm(5.9in) x H2cm(0.8in)
• Material: Wood, Gold
• Origin: Made in Japan - Echizen Lacquerware 
• Brand: Ritsuzan Tomita 

FEATURES

RITSUZAN TOMITA

Ritsuzan Tomita is a second generation Chinkin craftsman who succeeded the Chinkin Ritsuzan Tomita Workshop from his father, the first generation Ritsuzan Tomita. 

He is a renowned Chinkin craftsman who has received many awards for his works with the Chinkin technique, his latest being selected for the Nitten Exhibition which is the largest combined art exhibition of its kind in the world. While preserving the traditional technique of Chinkin, he also hopes to develop new ideas on how to apply the Chinkin technique to other materials and items.