Japanese lacquer, or urushi, is a sap tapped from lacquer trees that grow only in East Asia. When dried, the sap provides a highly durable paint with a glossy texture. Japanese people have used lacquer for thousands of years to paint wood, bamboo, paper, cloth and other materials, notably in the production of tableware, architecture, and Buddhist statues.
Lacquerware is among the most representative of traditional Japanese crafts. The rich coloring, tasteful and modest appearance, and smooth texture of these products give them an unparalleled beauty. Lacquerware was also included in the tableware central to dining in Japan for many centuries, with a functionality distinct from that of ceramics. However, as cheap plastic plates and other petroleum products gained popularity, lacquerware gradually disappeared from daily life. Japanese lifestyles also underwent rapid changes, leaving traditional lacquerware even further behind. We produced Suiren to harmonize with contemporary dining tables filled with a variety of Western and Japanese dishes. With neutral elements suited to any style, Suiren offers a less formal kind of lacquerware for everyday use. We hope that lacquerware makes a comeback in daily Japanese life, and that people around the world incorporate these attractive products into their lives as well.
