Wajima Kobo Nagaya Workshop

This is a craftsman's row house where five workshops related to Wajima-Nuri lacquerware are gathered. Visitors can view Wajima-Nuri lacquerware in the gallery, observe how the lacquerware is made, and experience Wajima-Nuri painting techniques such as chinkin and maki-e to make their original chopsticks. There is also a lacquerware store with a wide selection of Wajima-Nuri bowls and other lacquerware.

There are three hands-on courses. In the "Chinkin Experience," visitors can experience the technique of chinkin using several types of chisels. After projecting a design on a lacquer panel, carve it, and add color to it with lacquer. Several preparatory sketches are prepared, but you can also use your design.

In the famous "My Chopstick Making" event, visitors can choose from two main Wajima-Nuri techniques: "Chinkin," which involves carving the surface of lacquered chopsticks, filling the grooves with lacquer, and sprinkling gold powder on them; and "Makie," in which a brush is dipped in lacquer to create a pattern and then sprinkled with gold powder.

When you visit Wajima Kobo Nagaya Workshop, go to the Information Studio first. It introduces the process of Wajima-Nuri and provides tourist information. At each workshop, you can observe the craftsmen's skills, and there is also a gallery that introduces the history and techniques of Wajima-Nuri as well as the artists associated with the craft.