Traditional Crafts

Rantai LacquerwareLacquerware

Rantai is a type of lacquerware where layers of lacquer are applied to an item woven from bamboo. The origins of this traditional technique can be traced to items of lacquerware created by several famous artisans from Kyoto who came at the request of the Kurume Domain. This specific style was alleged to come into existence circa 1887 as the result of a collaboration between a tea master, a bamboo craftsman and a lacquerer. Much more than simply beautiful to look at, Rantai lacquerware is light, sturdy and takes on more character as it ages. This is clearly the reason why so many people have affectionately continued to use it as their everyday tableware over the years.