Urushi Lacquer Mug
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Made from strong yet lightweight Japanese horse chestnut wood, this cup is tough enough to handle drops—so it’s great for kids.
Plus, with its water-resistant and antibacterial lacquer, it’s not just hygienic and durable; it’s also perfect for everyday use or even outdoor adventures.
Crafted with the spirit of Japanese Zen, this piece is perfect for everyday use and makes a thoughtful gift for your loved ones.
It comes delivered in a specially designed box, perfect for gifting.
- Materials: Horse chestnut wood with natural urushi lacquer (body), elk leather (strap)
- The strap allows for easy hanging storage.
- Suitable for both hot and cold beverages, including coffee, tea, soup, and alcohol.
Care Instructions
- Hand washing is recommended.
- Not microwave safe.
- Prolonged soaking in water may cause deterioration.
- Clean with the soft side of a standard kitchen sponge using dish soap, then wipe dry with a soft, dry cloth.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or leaving it in high temperature and humidity, as this may cause discolouration, deformation, or mould growth.
Urushi Lacquer Mug
The deep black, 'jet black,' a shade only achievable with lacquer.
Lacquer is a sap collected from the lacquer tree. It is said that a lacquer tapping artisan can extract only around 200 grams on average from a single tree. In Japan, the word shikkoku (jet black) is used to describe a deep, glossy black, as in the phrases shikkoku no kami (jet black hair) or shikkoku no yami (jet black darkness). The dictionary defines shikkoku as 'a black with the gloss and depth of lacquer,' highlighting a black that is truly unique.
Refined lacquer is originally a transparent brownish colour, similar to café latte. It is the iron added during the refining process that turns it black. The oxidation of the iron causes the lacquer to transform into its deep black colour. This rich, lustrous black, distinct from any other black, is the black of lacquer — shikkoku.
Lacquer's charm goes beyond just its colour.
Lacquer has long been used as a natural adhesive, preservative, waterproofing agent, and paint. For example, in traditional Japanese crafts such as 'kintsugi' (the art of repairing pottery with gold) or in the process of making dye stencils, lacquer plays a crucial role. Its resistance to acid, alkali, salt, and alcohol allows you to enjoy it for years, with its beauty evolving over time.
Insulation: Because the base is made of wood, lacquerware has excellent insulating properties, meaning it doesn't transfer heat easily. Even when filled with hot soup, the bowl remains comfortable to hold.
Preservative and Antibacterial Properties: Traditionally, lacquerware has been used to store osechi (New Year's cuisine) in tiered boxes over several days. It is known to inhibit the growth of bacteria, and this has been scientifically verified.
Lacquerware has been cherished as a way of coexisting with and harnessing the power of nature for generations.
The unique fusion of nature and craftsmanship that creates one-of-a-kind Aizu lacquerware.
In Aizu lacquerware production, each stage of the process is carried out by specialised artisans. There’s the sorinshi, who makes flat wooden bases from raw timber, the kijishi, who creates rounded wooden bases, the itamono nushi, who applies lacquer to flat pieces, the marumono nushi, who lacquers rounded items, and finally the makieshi, who decorates the lacquered items with intricate makie designs. These artisans work in harmony with nature and time, crafting each piece through a dialogue with the materials.
Aizu is blessed with abundant timber, skilled woodworkers, lacquer artisans, and talented makie artists, along with a climate ideal for lacquerware production. For example, lacquer hardening requires a warm and humid environment, and Aizuwakamatsu, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, experiences humid summers and heavy snowfall in winter—conditions perfect for the lacquer curing process.
This unique environment has made Aizuwakamatsu a key region in supporting Japan's lacquerware industry. The warmth and beauty of human craftsmanship are evident in every piece they create.
Connecting people through lacquer, a tradition that has been cherished for centuries.
Aizuwakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture has continued to craft lacquerware in harmony with its rich natural surroundings of forests and lakes. The roots of lacquer craftsmanship in Aizu date back to 1590, during the Tenshō era, when Lord Gamō Ujisato, acting on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, encouraged this industry.
Despite suffering devastating blows during the upheaval of the late 1860s, Aizu rebounded in the mid-Meiji period (around 1890) and established itself as one of Japan's leading lacquerware producers, a legacy that continues today.
We remain dedicated to preserving this tradition, passing down the techniques and culture of lacquerware production to future generations.
The Yokoki mug isn’t just stylish and cool; it’s also incredibly durable.
Whether at home or out and about, it's perfect for casual use. Enjoy a unique drinking experience with the distinctive texture and pleasant feel of lacquerware that sets it apart from the ordinary.
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