Red Amber Faceted Flower Vase

This hinoki cypress flower vase is finished in the deep red tones of Hida Shunkei lacquerware. The sides are decorated with a vertical line near one corner. This creates additional facets that catch the light from different angles and soften the transition between the vase’s broad sides.

The wood is colored red before the translucent suki-urushi lacquer is applied in multiple coats, allowing the color to show through the lacquer with depth and luster. When new, the wood grain may be less apparent, but as the piece ages, the finish gradually becomes more transparent, allowing the grain to emerge more clearly over time.

A matching base panel accompanies the vase, extending its form horizontally when displayed. The tall proportions of the vase work well with a single flower or branch.

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.