Keep it long, treasure it long.

Irodori Lacquer Earrings

Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is known as a lacquerware production area. The lacquer earrings made by Masui Saihon Kanshitsu, which has a history of over half a century in this area, are luxurious and beautiful masterpieces finished with multiple layers of natural lacquer on a pearl nucleus.

The soft texture you feel when you hold it in your hand and the lustrous shine that increases when exposed to sunlight. The color that deepens over time is something that machines can never produce, and you can once again feel the wonderfulness of the craftsman's handiwork.

Feel the scenery of Noto

Nuance Gold earrings show a beautiful expression that seems to be a snapshot of the scenery of Noto. The base material is the pearl nucleus, which is the core of cultured pearls. It is made by cutting a bivalve shell, shaping it into a perfect circle, and polishing it. It is known as a material suitable for lacquer painting because it is hard and does not absorb lacquer much. These earrings are made by carefully applying layers of natural lacquer to the pearl core.

This application process is supported by the artisanal technique known as "Roiro," which is the core of Wajima lacquer. Among the 124 steps of Wajima lacquer, this is an important step close to the final finishing step, in which the surface is smoothed using charcoal, raw lacquer is applied, and then carefully polished by hand. This process is repeated many times to create a mirror-like shine. The surface is clear-coated for a safe finish that can be used daily, and the metal parts are made of surgical stainless steel, which is gentle on the skin, so there is no need to worry about allergies.

Be enchanted by the colors of the lacquer

There are six colors in total. We have "Kinu" which is as soft as a cocoon ball, "Shinme" which gives a feeling of spring buds, "Fuji" which reminds us of elegant wisteria flowers, "Wakana" which sounds like swaying young leaves, "Sakura" which looks like spring cherry blossoms with subtle colors, and "Sora" which reflects the sky of Noto. None of the colors are too assertive, but they have a definite presence and bring out the charm of the wearer.

Also, the more you use lacquer, the more glossy and deeper it becomes. Therefore, if you choose it as a gift for a special person, such as a coming-of-age celebration or birthday celebration, it will surely be loved for a long time.

Bringing lacquer painting closer to you

The history of Masui Saihon Kanshitsu began in 1955 as Masui Roiroten. Roiro is an important technique that is close to the final finishing step in the Wajima lacquer process. The surface is prepared with charcoal, raw lacquer is applied, and the product is polished by hand again and again to bring out a mirror-like shine. On top of that, lacquer is applied and decorations are made with abalone shells and gold and silver powder. Masui has been responsible for this important foundational process.

In 1997, the second generation took over and the name was changed to "Masui Aya Honkanshitsu". While preserving the techniques of roiro, the company has also ventured into new forms of lacquer products such as accessories and prayer beads. While preserving tradition, the company proposes new ways of using lacquer that suit the modern era. It is filled with a desire to cherish the warmth of handmade work and to have more people discover the charm of lacquer.