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 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 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: D15cm(5.9in) x H2cm(0.8in)
• Material: Wood, Gold, Silver
• Origin: Made in Japan - Echizen Lacquerware
• Brand: Rituszan 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. 

He 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.