Japanese Lacquerware plates - Meimei-sara Aizu-nuri

"Meimei-sara" is an individualized plate, as the name suggests, that can be enjoyed in each person's own way.

Whether for serving sweets, portioning out dishes, holding condiments, or storing accessories, its usage depends on one's imagination. Its convenient size, fitting comfortably in one hand, makes it versatile and useful for various occasions.

Aizu-nuri, or Aizu lacquerware, is a type of lacquerware produced in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. In the manufacturing process, it is classified into maru-mono (round vessels) such as bowls and obon (serving trays) or ita-mono (flat pieces) such as trays and writing boxes. The patterns combining pine, bamboo, plum motifs, and arrows are known as Aizu-e.

The distinctive features of Aizu lacquerware include auspicious designs and the beauty of various decorations. Compared to lacquerware from other regions, Aizu lacquerware carves grooves finer and shallower, giving the decorations a softer expression.

During the Edo period, colors like black, vermilion, and blue-green were commonly used, but in modern times, muted red-brown and washed vermilion (arai-shu) became popular. The color combinations devised from a limited palette also became a notable feature.

For the topcoat, techniques such as rust lacquering (tetsu-sabi-nuri) to impart a subdued metallic appearance like cast iron, or techniques like kin-mushi-kui-nuri which creates patterns using ground shells of a specific insect, are applied. Various topcoat techniques exist, including kijiro-nuri which enhances the beauty of wood grain and hana-nuri which adds gloss by adding oil, each demanding advanced skills.

In decoration, a representative technique of Aizu lacquerware is keshifun-makie, where lacquer is generously applied with a brush and the finest gold powder is sprinkled using cotton while observing the drying condition.
The pattern features a rotating seasonal motif with designs of bush clover, Japanese pampas grass, pine needles, etc.


 It is unused but has been stored for a considerable period of time.


5pieces
Size : 150mm x 15mm