What is Tsugaru-nuri? Hirosaki, Aomori's Pride and a National Important Intangible Cultural Property

Tsugaru-nuri is a type of lacquerware produced in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, centered around the city of Hirosaki. The technical heart of this craft is a method called Togidashi Kawari-nuri (polished-out varied-pattern lacquering), a technique that is quite rare in Japan. Instead of painting a design directly onto an object's surface, artisans painstakingly apply dozens of layers of different colored lacquer. These layers are then polished down to be perfectly smooth, revealing a complex, profound pattern from within. This distinctive process gives the final piece a depth and robustness unseen in other forms of lacquerware.

Its exceptional skill and artistry have been widely recognized. It was designated a National Traditional Craft in 1975, and in 2017, its production techniques were named a National Important Intangible Cultural Property. This was a landmark achievement for Aomori Prefecture, highlighting the significant place Tsugaru-nuri occupies in the history of Japanese crafts. One particularly fascinating discovery is that it's the northernmost traditional craft in Japan to receive this designation. This geographical background is another crucial element in fully appreciating the character of Tsugaru-nuri.