These Echizen Lacquerware teacup coasters 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, a renowned Chinkin craftsman.

Tame-nuri is a lacquer coating technique where the red color can be seen through the 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 reflections almost like a mirror. 

"Chinkin" is a traditional technique used to create detailed designs with gold and silver 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. The literal definition of Chinkin is "sunken gold" in Japanese. 

The designs depicted on the coasters are delicate flowers being blown in the wind. You can feel the lightness of the flowers from the thin lines and the silver leaves. As these designs are made by hand, each flower is unique with the silver leaf applied on different places on the flower. The Japanese calligraphy on the bottom of the stem is the signature of Ritsuzan Tomita. 

These teacup coasters are perfect for entertaining guests as well as for daily use and are especially suited for celebratory occasions. The set includes 5 coasters so they may be used for parties and gatherings of up to 5 people. Enjoy the exquisite designs of gold with silver, and the shine of Echizen lacquerware with these beautifully crafted teacup coasters. 

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: D12cm(4.7in) x H2cm(0.8in)
• Dent Diameter: D5cm(2.0in)
• Material: Wood resin, Gold, Silver
• 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. 

The present Ritsuzan 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.