Wajima Lacquerware was presented to the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden!

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida handed over a traditional Wajima Lacquerware coffee cup and ballpoint pen as a gift to the 46th President of the United States of America, Joe Biden on 10 April 2024.

Wajima Lacquerware is designated as a national Important Intangible Cultural Asset and it has well-defined manufacturing processes and materials. Craftsmen work together to manufacture a single product, based on the idea that high-quality lacquerware can be created by professionals in each of the subdivided processes.

The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake damaged most of the craftsmen in Wajima and made it impossible for them to work, but we were able to connect the craftsmen in each process and manufacture this product.

Wajima lacquerware, which uses natural lacquer consistently from the base to the top coat, has a soft, absorbent texture that gives a pleasant feeling when you put your mouth to it and when you touch it. The lacquer coating on top of a strong base also makes the lacquerware extremely robust, strong and supple.

Wajima Lacquerware: Blue gradation cup and saucer

The wood base of the coffee cup is made from zelkova which has been dried thoroughly for two years, which means that it is not distorted and is lightweight.

By using diatomaceous earth and zelkova as the wood base, heat is not transferred to the outside and the outside does not get hot even if hot coffee is poured. This means that you can enjoy a slow, hot cup of coffee, and conversely, if you pour in a cold drink, no condensation will form.

As part of our policy, we do not put handles on our cups. It is because you do not feel hot when gripped directly on the surface as Wajima Lacquerware is made with layered natural lacquer.

The colours are jet black and bright blue, reminiscent of the dawn of the sea on the Noto Peninsula. The cup is finished off by a maki-e artist who draws your name with all their heart.

Wajima Lacquerware: Blue gradation cup and saucer $583
*overseas shipping is included
(If you request the original Paulownia wood box; +$30)

＜Top coat meister＞Hiroshi Nakakado, National licensed Wajima lacquerware traditional craftman
＜Roiro polishing meister＞Satoshi Marui
＜Makie decorate meister＞Haruka Omori

Wajima Lacquerware Makie decorated pen

The bald eagle, the symbol of the US, and the phoenix, the symbol of Japan, are dancing close in this ballpoint pen. The image of friendship between Japan and the USA was drawn to evoke the image of two birds soaring to great heights.

The base is made of hiba wood from the Noto Peninsula and is exquisitely comfortable to hold as it is made with natural lacquer. The lead inside is made by A.T. CROSS, a high-end American manufacturer of writing instruments.

Wajima Lacquerware Makie decorated pen $690
*overseas shipping is included
(If you request the original Paulownia wood box; +$30)

＜Makie decorate meister＞Akihiro Yamanoshita

How to order

We are currently taking pre-orders due to the large number of orders we receive.
Please select the product you wish to order from the form below and fill in the required information.

Product detail

Wajima Lacquerware: Blue gradation cup and saucer
Material: natural lacquer and natural wood (zelkova)
Price: $583 *overseas shipping is included
(If you request the original Paulownia wood box; +$30)

*Your name will be painted, we don’t have an option without name decoration.
Please write down your order name within six characters.

Wajima Lacquerware Makie decorated pen
Material: natural lacquer and natural wood (zelkova)
Price: $690 *overseas shipping is included
(If you request the original Paulownia wood box; +$30)

Payment method

Online invoicing (credit card payment)

We will inform you how to pay at e-mail address you provide when the goods are expected to be dispatched.

Attention

When entering your e-mail address, please make sure it is correct.
If we are unable to send your e-mail address to the address you have provided, we regret to inform you that we may have to cancel your booking.
We are currently expecting a large number of orders, so we will be working with the members of the Wajima Lacquer Ware Manufacturers’ Association who are willing to help us.