This jar-shaped cup is finished with fuki-urushi, a wiped finish using urushi (Japanese lacquer).
You may find yourself wondering, “A cup?”—but this is a cup I truly hope you will try using. The combination of Tochi (Japanese Horse Chestnut), this form, this thickness, and the fuki-urushi finish provides a wonderful drinking experience. Tochi is lightweight and soft, with a fine, smooth texture. The form is easy to hold; the thickness allows the warmth or coolness of the drink to pass gently through; and the curved rim brings the drink to your lips with a delicate, pure feel. The many layers of fuki-urushi further enhance all these qualities and their beauty.
Before the fuki-urushi finish is applied, the wood is treated with a dye extracted by simmering sasanqua camellia. Two types of extract are used: one acidic and the other alkaline. The acidic extract produces a red color, while the alkaline extract produces black. In dim light, both appear dark and the difference can be difficult to see. In brighter light, however, one appears reddish brown and the other blackish brown. In the product options, the cup on the left in the photograph showing the two together is labeled “Reddish Brown,” and the one on the right is labeled “Blackish Brown.”
From the Artisan
I love jars and wondered whether it might be possible to enjoy that form in an everyday object, so I made this cup. I hope you will enjoy a slightly special and enriching moment with your favorite drink.
