Ritsuzan Tomita Pine Red Side Plate Set

These Echizen Lacquerware side plates are exquisite items combining the refined matte shine of red lacquer with the detailed gold designs made with "Chinkin" done by the second generation Ritsuzan Tomita, a renowned Chinkin craftsman.

The smooth and even coat of the deep red lacquer is painted using a technique called "Negoro," a method of lacquering by which a black lacquer underneath the red lacquer is visible. The more it is used, the more the black lacquer will become visible, giving the plate an added vintage taste. 

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 wide pine branches depicted on these plates are called "Suehiro" pines which symbolize auspiciousness. As these designs are made by hand, each pine branch is unique with the silver 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 the New Year or milestone birthdays. They can also 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 of up to 5 people.

Echizen Lacquerware

Echizen lacquerware originated around the city of Sabae in Fukui Prefecture, in the northern part of Japan. With a history going back more than 1,500 years, it is known for its subdued luster and elegant beauty. It is produced by experienced artisans, each specializing in one step of the production process.

Along with the changing lifestyles of Japanese people and market needs, creators of Echizen lacquerware have developed diversified products and created technology for mass production. Today, more than 80% of the lacquerware for domestic food industry and business use comes from Echizen. This is a region that is not only home to centuries of tradition, but also reinventing itself through innovation.