Traditional craft
Tsugaru Nuri
津軽塗
Japan's northernmost traditional lacquer, from Hirosaki in Aomori, where many coats of coloured lacquer are polished back to reveal speckled patterns.
Key facts
- Officially recognised
- 10 May 1975
- Type
- Lacquerware
- Region
- Tohoku
- Official name in Japanese
- 津軽塗
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 青森市、弘前市、黒石市、平川市、西津軽郡深浦町、南津軽郡藤崎町、北津軽郡板柳町
Patterns hidden in the layers
Tsugaru Nuri is Japan's northernmost traditional lacquerware, made mainly around Hirosaki in Aomori. It is known for several techniques:
- Kara-nuri: the classic mottled, speckled pattern.
- Nanako-nuri: rapeseeds are sprinkled on wet lacquer to leave tiny dots like fish roe, chic like a komon kimono pattern.
- Monsha-nuri: charcoal powder gives a matte, modern black.
- Nishiki-nuri: nanako ground painted with arabesques and fret patterns.
Coat, polish, repeat
On a base of hiba wood, a piece goes through about 50 steps. Cloth is glued over the wood and lacquer underlayers build a strong foundation. Then coloured lacquers are applied again and again and polished back, and a final coat of fine Japanese lacquer is polished to a deep shine. The result is far tougher than its delicate patterns suggest.
Craftsmen of the Tsugaru lords
Tsugaru Nuri began in the early Edo period with lacquer craftsmen employed by the Tsugaru lords, gathered from across Japan. It took shape as an industry in the early Meiji period, built on the skills of the Edo era.
Good to know
- Tsugaru chopsticks are an easy, light souvenir that shows the speckled layers well.
- Lacquer can irritate skin while wet, but once fully dry it is harmless and good for everyday use.
Questions travellers ask
How is the Tsugaru pattern made?
Many coats of coloured lacquer are layered, then polished back so the layers show as speckles.
What is nanako-nuri?
A technique where rapeseeds pressed into wet lacquer leave tiny dots like fish roe.
Where it comes from
Local foods from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.