Soothing touch: Egg-shaped lacquerware from western Japan gains global attention

Nagahama, a city in western Japan, is gaining global attention for its unique egg-shaped lacquerware, created by artisan Yoshihisa Watanabe. Known as "naderu," this simple yet intriguing object is designed not just for admiration but also for tactile enjoyment, allowing people to experience the beauty of traditional Japanese lacquerware through touch.

With over three decades of experience in lacquer arts, Watanabe has worked on significant pieces such as Hama butsudan, large Buddhist altars, and festival floats for Nagahama's Hikiyama Festival.

Watanabe's career faced a major setback at age 49 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. After recovering from surgery, he returned to his workshop but had to give up his hobbies of mountain climbing and triathlons. Determined to use his remaining time to preserve lacquer culture, Watanabe focused on creating marketable lacquerware that offers new value.

The inspiration for naderu came unexpectedly when a woodworker friend gave him an egg-shaped wooden object. Upon applying lacquer, the surface developed a deep luster with a soothing effect, leading Watanabe to name the piece "naderu," inspired by the Japanese verb "naderu," meaning "to stroke." The lacquering process, which takes two to three months, involves multiple layers of natural lacquer, resulting in a calming effect when touched.

Watanabe showcased naderu at LIFE X DESIGN, an international trade show for crafts in Tokyo, where its unusual shape and calming touch attracted interest from both Japanese and overseas visitors. The positive response led to an opportunity with Kickstarter, a U.S.-based crowdfunding platform, to sell naderu. Watanabe prepared five versions of naderu, including "kijiro" highlighting the wood's natural grain and "raden" featuring shell inlays, priced between 14,000 yen to 60,000 yen.

Supported by his Nagahama hikiyama culture, Watanabe believes passing this tradition to the next generation is a way of giving back to his hometown. Besides naderu, Watanabe has recently created a ballpoint pen called "matou," with a lacquered wooden barrel finishing reminiscent of Edo period sword scabbards. Lacquerware, cherished for generations, is now gaining new audiences globally.