Vintage Japanese Hand Crafted Wood Hida Shunkei Lacquer Kashizara Round Tray

This is a vintage Japanese kashizara round serving tray with the original presentation box.  This type of serving tray was often used in chado (tea ceremony and is known as a kashizara. It ismade of Hida Shunkei lacquer ware hand crafted in Gifu prefecture in the early 1970's. This type of natural lacquer ware has been famous in Japan for centuries. What makes Hida Shunkei lacquer ware so special is the way that the beauty of the surface of the wood is brought out by the application of a transparent coating of lacquer. It is produced by a special method from raw natural lacquer and used to coat the wood. The technique is still used today in the making of many household items such as serving trays (like this one), as well as boxes and tea ceremony items. There are some 95 firms employing over 250 skilled specialists, 31 of which are nationally recognized as Master Craftsmen.

It is made of hand crafted cryptomeria wood with over 20 coats of Japanese special natural urushi lacquer.  Having been in storage and protected by its original presentation box (see picture 11) for over 40 years and never used, this tray remains like new and is in excellent condition. 

The kashizara round tray measures 10 1/2" in diameter by 1 1/2" tall (27 x 4 cm). The original presentation box measures 11 1/2" square (29 cm).  A similar Hida Shunkei lacquered tray sells in Tokyo for over $250 today.

Please note:  The items displayed on this tray in pictures 1 & 10 are not included in this listing but can be seen in a current sailerking listing.