This flower vase is a beautiful example of Shunkei-nuri (春慶塗), a traditional lacquer technique originating in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The form features a tall, angular body with a sharply split V-shaped mouth, emphasizing a modern geometric elegance that harmonizes with the warmth of its natural materials. The piece comes with two matching lacquered plates and its original handmade box (tomobako) bearing the maker’s inscription.
Shunkei-nuri dates back over 400 years to the early Edo period and is said to have originated when a Buddhist priest named Shunkei from Takayama began experimenting with transparent lacquer finishes. Unlike opaque lacquerware, Shunkei-nuri uses a clear or lightly tinted lacquer—often in amber or reddish-brown hues—applied over finely crafted wood. This technique allows the wood’s natural grain and color to remain visible beneath the lacquer, resulting in a surface that glows with depth, warmth, and subtle luster.
The distinctive clarity and softness of Shunkei-nuri lacquerware celebrate the beauty of wood itself, rather than concealing it. Artisans in Hida continue to produce these works using traditional methods: selecting fine zelkova or Japanese cypress, shaping it by hand, and applying multiple layers of lacquer to achieve the characteristic sheen.
