The Unseen Foundation: The Crucial Base-Coating Process

The quality of Tsugaru-nuri is ultimately determined by the creation of its base coat—a layer that is completely hidden in the final product. This meticulous attention to the unseen is the very foundation of the durability that allows these pieces to be used for decades.

- Wood Base Shaping (Kiji-kakō)

Everything begins with the 'kiji,' or wooden base. Thoroughly dried wood like Aomori Hiba cypress is shaped using the 'hikimono' technique (turning on a lathe) for bowls and trays, or the 'sashimono' technique (wood joinery) for items like tiered 'jūbako' boxes. This wooden core is the canvas for the long process ahead.

- Cloth Application (Nuno-kise)

Next, the wooden base is reinforced. Linen cloth is applied with lacquer to structurally weak areas like rims and joints. By using an adhesive made of rice paste and lacquer to bond the cloth seamlessly to the wood, the overall durability of the piece is dramatically increased.

- Main Base Building (Honkataji-zukuri)

This is one of the most critical steps in ensuring the legendary robustness of Tsugaru-nuri. A paste-like primer called 'sabi-urushi'—made by mixing lacquer with 'jinoko' (earthen powder) and 'tonoko' (whetstone powder)—is repeatedly applied to the base with a spatula. After each layer, the piece is left to dry completely before being polished smooth with a whetstone. This repetitive process builds up a perfect, thick base layer as hard as stone, forming the resilient 'skeleton' of the lacquerware.