Protected local food
Joboji Urushi
浄法寺漆
Natural lacquer tapped from urushi trees, mainly in Iwate. It makes up about 70% of Japan's home-grown lacquer and is used to restore national treasures.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 27 December 2018
- Region
- Tohoku
- Official name in Japanese
- 浄法寺漆
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 岩手県全域、青森県三戸郡、八戸市、十和田市、秋田県鹿角郡小坂町、鹿角市、大館市
Japan's own lacquer
Urushi is the sap of the lacquer tree. Brushed on in thin coats and cured, it becomes the hard, glossy finish of Japanese lacquerware. Joboji urushi is very strong once cured and consistent in quality, and it comes in many grades of transparency, curing speed and thickness. Lacquer artists and restorers rely on it, and it is used to repair national treasures and important cultural properties.
Japan's lacquer forest
The Morioka domain encouraged lacquer from the Edo period, and northern Tohoku still has Japan's largest stock of lacquer trees. Tapped by hand by skilled craftspeople across Iwate and nearby parts of Aomori and Akita, it made up about 70% of Japan's domestic lacquer in 2015.
Good to know
- Joboji, now part of Ninohe city, is known for Joboji-nuri, simple and sturdy lacquer bowls for everyday use.
- Most lacquer used in Japan is imported, so a piece finished with Japanese urushi is special.
Questions travellers ask
Is this a food?
No. It is one of the non-food products in Japan's GI register.
Is raw lacquer safe to touch?
No. Raw urushi can cause a strong skin rash. Cured lacquerware is safe.
Where it comes from
More protected foods from the same area
Crafts from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.