Golden Amber Bentwood Round Tray

This round tray is crafted from hinoki cypress and finished in the warm golden-amber tones characteristic of Hida Shunkei lacquerware. Lightweight and easy to handle, its broad circular surface is framed by a smoothly curved rim that highlights the beauty of the wood. The rim is formed by carefully bending the wood into a continuous curve, a technique that requires precision to prevent cracking or warping.

Multiple coats of transparent suki-urushi lacquer reveal the natural grain beneath the glossy surface. Unique to each piece, the pattern gains varying depth and definition as the light changes. Its form suits both everyday use and more formal table settings.

Fukuju Shikkiten

Founded in 1858, Fukuju Shikkiten is one of the longest-established makers of Hida Shunkei lacquerware in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture.

The craft was born in a region of abundant forests. While most lacquerware is finished in black or vermilion, Hida Shunkei uses clear lacquer to reveal the natural wood grain. The way each artisan applies the lacquer gives it a subtly different tone, making every piece unique. With use, each piece develops a deeper luster and settles naturally into the hand, becoming part of everyday life over the years.

Hida Shunkei Lacquerware

Hida Shunkei is a lacquerware craft from Takayama and the surrounding Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, an area long known for its woodworking tradition. For more than 400 years, artisans have coated dyed woods such as hinoki and sawara cypress as well as Japanese horse chestnut with clear lacquer, allowing the natural grain to remain visible through its deep, translucent luster. The longer a piece is used, the brighter and more lustrous the lacquer becomes, emphasizing the beauty of the wood even further. Hida Shunkei was designated a Traditional Craft by the Japanese government in 1975 and continues to evolve while preserving the techniques passed down through generations.