Heading into the village.
Walking to a lacquerware shop and demonstration - Kiso Hirasawa, Shiojiri City, Japan.
A lacquerware shop.
Continuing down the street to where we will have a lacquerwear demonstration.
Sit awhile...
A small grocery/everything store.
Fire hydrants are ever-present in these old Edo-era towns.
Entering a shop to see and learn about lacquerware.
Stashing wet gear....
Itoh Kanji Shoten.
Heading to the factory behind the shop.
Getting all the details.
A young man honing his skills.
Learning from a master.
In creating lacquerwear it is common to use urushiol, or sap, from Toxicodendron vernicifluum or "Japanese lacquer tree".
Finish after drying and polishing.
Applying lacquerware process to bowls.
A lot of work.
