2 hour private experience
Location: Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Tour the shopfront and showroom and learn about the urushi harvesting process. Then, move to the factory and see unrefined urushi, as well as witness the refining process. Finally, head upstairs to work with refined urushi in a hands-on workshop session.
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:00 - 15:00)
Session 3 (15:00 - 17:00)
Not available on national holidays.
Who can attend
Children must be 12+ years old.
What’s included
A take-home set for lacquering your own set of chopsticks.
What to wear
Clothing that you can move around in freely.
What else you should know
Please be aware that direct contact with liquid lacquer may lead to allergic reactions.
Access
10min by car from Kyoto Station
Re(de)fining Urushi Lacquer
Urushi lacquer has been used in Japan since the ancient Jomon era, nearly 10,000 years ago. Known for its hardness and waterproof properties, urushi is still used as paint and as a glue, notably seen in gold-dusted kintsugi and red or black painted lacquerware shikki. When the general usage of urushi declined due to the post-war innovative rush of wanting newer and cheaper, more convenient materials, the production of urushi dwindled at an alarming rate, leading to the loss of urushi forests from which urushi was harvested. In operation since 1909, this urushi refinery used to be swamped in urushi lacquer orders, delivering barrels of urushi to artisans all over Kyoto. Now, they seek to revive the use of urushi items in everyday life by seeking to introduce the warmth and comfort of urushi-based materials to newer generations. Step into this urushi refining factory in the heart of Kyoto and immerse yourself in the world of refining urushi lacquer.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
