Pine, Bamboo and Plum Dessert Spoon and Fork Set

Crafted through a delicate manufacturing process, this set of a spoon and fork features a soft glow and a fine touch, with textured plant patterns on the handles and gold foil embellishments adding sophistication.

The handle features a traditional Aizu-e pattern, a distinctive design of Aizu lacquerware. Each piece is meticulously hand-painted by skilled maki-e artists, ensuring unique craftsmanship. The painting of the famous combination of pine tree, bamboo and plum is considered an auspicious motif in Japan, bringing good luck and longevity.

Also, there are paintings of ceremonial arrows and spinning wheels, both considered as a signature motif of Aizu lacquerware. The Aizu-e process requires eight distinct stages to be fully completed, demanding a high level of skill from the craftsmen involved.

During the coloring process, a technique known as tame-nuri is also employed. Tame-nuri is a finishing technique that utilizes the transparent suki-urushi lacquer. By applying this clear, black-tinted lacquer over a red base coat, the edges appear red through the transparency while the corners accumulate a deeper color, creating a beautifully contrasting appearance. 

Fukunishi-Sobe Shoten

Fukunishi Sobe Shoten, a long-established Aizu lacquerware company, was founded in 1919 by Fukunishi Sobe, who branched off from the Fukunishi Ihee Shoten—the main family business that had been operating since the early Edo period (1603–1868 CE) for thirteen generations. 

In addition to traditional lacquering techniques that highlight the soft, lustrous finish characteristic of lacquerware, they continue to pass down unique Aizu decorative methods such as Aizu-e painting, featuring motifs of pine, bamboo, plum, and ceremonial arrows, as well as the use of spinning wheel patterns.

Aizu lacquerware is a traditional craft originating from the Aizu region in western Fukushima. Nestled in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges, the region's humid climate provides ideal conditions for working with lacquer. Aizu lacquerware is known for its auspicious motifs and refined decorative techniques, including Aizu-e, featuring vibrant Japanese floral patterns, and maki-e, which uses gold powder to create intricate designs.

Firmly rooted in over 400 years of tradition, Aizu lacquerware continues to evolve by embracing modern techniques, sharing its timeless beauty with the world today.