Odawara Shikki (小田原漆器) is a lacquerware produced in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, with origins said to date to the mid-Muromachi period. It was designated as a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1984.
History
Odawara lacquerware is said to have originated in the mid-Muromachi period, when lacquer was applied to wood-turned vessels made from timber of the Hakone mountain range. The craft developed further when Hojo Ujiyasu invited lacquer craftsmen to the castle town, an event that led to the adoption of the colored lacquer technique known as sai-urushi. During the Edo period, lacquer was applied not only to everyday items such as trays and bowls but also to military equipment. By the mid-Edo period, practical lacquerware began to be shipped to Edo, broadening the craft's reach. Around the same time, products employing suri-urushi-nuri and kijiro-nuri techniques — both of which highlight the natural wood grain — became widely produced, establishing the aesthetic character for which Odawara lacquerware became known.
Techniques & Production Process
A distinctive production method of Odawara Shikki involves rubbing lacquer into items shaped by turning on a lathe (rokuro). The primary material used is keyaki (zelkova) wood, which is valued for its sturdiness and resistance to warping. Three principal lacquering techniques define the craft:
Suri-urushi-nuri is a technique in which lacquer is rubbed directly into the wood surface, fully bringing out the character of the wood grain while providing both strength and visual appeal. Kijiro-nuri involves applying a rust (sabi) preparation to the wood base before lacquering, a process that emphasizes the wood grain as it becomes visible over time. Sai-urushi-nuri is a colored lacquer technique in which black lacquer is applied as the middle coat between the base and top coat, with vermilion or black lacquer then used as the finishing top coat. Odawara lacquerware also makes use of timber sourced from the Hakone mountain range, which has been integral to the craft since its origins. Other Japanese lacquerware traditions, such as Yamanaka-nuri from Ishikawa and Kiso Shikki from Nagano, similarly rely on lathe-turned wooden bases, though each tradition employs its own distinct finishing techniques.
How to Identify Odawara Shikki
Odawara lacquerware is characterized by its prominently emphasized keyaki (zelkova) wood grain, which remains visible through the lacquer finish. This visible grain is a direct result of the suri-urushi-nuri and kijiro-nuri techniques employed in production. The use of keyaki wood also contributes to the durability of finished pieces, making them sturdy and less prone to warping. Pieces finished with sai-urushi-nuri may be distinguished by their colored lacquer surface — typically vermilion or black — applied over a black middle coat. Compared with more heavily decorated lacquerware traditions such as Wajima-nuri or Aizu lacquerware, Odawara Shikki is notable for its emphasis on the natural qualities of the wood substrate rather than applied ornamentation.
The Craft Today
Odawara Shikki continues to be produced in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, drawing on the timber resources of the Hakone mountain range as it has since the craft's origins. As a designated Traditional Craft, it is recognized by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries, and examples of the ware are available at Aoyama Square (伝統工芸 青山スクエア), located at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. The craft shares the broader landscape of Japanese lacquerware traditions, which includes regional styles such as Echizen Shikki from Fukui, Kyo Shikki from Kyoto, Tsugaru-nuri from Aomori, and Kamakura-bori, another craft from Kanagawa Prefecture. Like Shunkei-nuri from Gifu, Odawara Shikki maintains a commitment to techniques that foreground the natural appearance of the wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Odawara Shikki?
Odawara Shikki (小田原漆器) is a traditional lacquerware craft produced in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is characterized by the use of keyaki (zelkova) wood and techniques that emphasize the natural wood grain through lacquer application.
When did Odawara lacquerware originate?
Odawara lacquerware is said to have originated in the mid-Muromachi period, when lacquer was first applied to wood-turned vessels made from timber of the Hakone mountain range.
What are the main techniques used in Odawara Shikki?
The three principal techniques are suri-urushi-nuri, in which lacquer is rubbed into the wood to highlight the grain; kijiro-nuri, which involves applying a rust (sabi) preparation before lacquering to reveal the grain over time; and sai-urushi-nuri, a colored lacquer technique using black as a middle coat and vermilion or black as the top coat.
What wood is used to make Odawara lacquerware?
Keyaki (zelkova) wood is primarily used. It is valued for its sturdiness and resistance to warping, and timber is sourced from the Hakone mountain range.
Is Odawara Shikki a nationally recognized Traditional Craft?
Yes. Odawara Shikki was designated as a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1984.
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