Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

While there is no shortage of Japanese lacquer in the Kiso Valley, Kiso-Hirasawa, one of the most northern of the valley’s post towns, is renowned not just along the Nakasendo route but across Japan for its high quality lacquerware. The Kiso Shikkikan tells the story of the rich history of the production of lacquer and its roots in the local region as well as the incredible expertise that goes into producing the fine carvings and paintings that give Japanese lacquerware its unique charm.

Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

The Kiso Shikkikan lacquerware museum sits along the Narai River, just a 15-minute walk from Kiso-Hirasawa Station. Established as a means of promoting the Kiso region, the museum displays an array of beautiful pieces of lacquerware from bowls and plates to huge pieces of art produced in the area. As one of the leading industries of the Kiso Valley since the 18th century, the lacquerware trade has been kept alive by many of the restored post towns along the Nakasendo which is celebrated in the Kiso Shikkikan. Painted lacquer combs were one of the most popular items, a trend led by Rihei Nakamura whose house can be visited down the road in Narai.

Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

The lacquerware production process consists of many different stages using a number of materials, many of which can be found in the surrounding hills of the Kiso region. The lacquerware museum exhibits the materials needed for the process starting from the base ingredients such as Japanese cypress wood and sabi-tsuchi clay, both abundant in the area. It also covers the complex design techniques that lacquerware is so loved for, including tuishu which involves engraving the lacquer at several points in the layering process, and maki-e, which is to thank for the iconic gold engravings found on Japanese lacquerware.

Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware Museum

Much like the rest of the Kiso Valley, the Kiso Shikkikan closes early, open from 9am until 4.30pm for most of the year apart from in winter when it closes at 4pm when the sun begins to set. For just 300 yen you can wander around the rooms freely before heading out to pick up your own pieces of lacquerware which are available at shops up and down the main street of Kiso-Hirasawa. A popular souvenir since the Edo period, purchasing a delicately designed piece from Kiso-Hirasawa is a way of guaranteeing you’re getting your hands on the crème de la crème of the lacquerware world.

Kiso Lacquerware Museum

3.5

3 Reviews

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Kisohirasawa 2324-150

0264341140

[Apr.- Nov.]9:00-17:00(Last …

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BYAKU Narai

551 奈良井 Matsumoto

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Kisohirasawa

Nagano Pref

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BYAKU Narai

551 奈良井 Matsumoto

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Nakasendo

Nagano Prefecture Kiso-gun Nagiso-machi

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