“Ujobori” becomes more glossy and has a deeper flavor the more you use it.

A masterpiece that takes advantage of the grain of domestic natural wood and is carefully finished with raw Japanese lacquer.

Okayama Castle, a symbol of Okayama, is also known as Crow Castle due to its jet black exterior. ``Karasu-bori,'' which gives it its nickname, is a lacquer craft that is completely handmade, hand-carved, and hand-painted.
Taking advantage of the grain of Japanese natural wood such as horse chestnut, zelkova, katsura, and paulownia, patterns of vegetables, fruits, flowers, old tiles, etc. are engraved and colored with colored lacquer. Furthermore, Karasujo-bori is made by applying raw Japanese lacquer and wiping it off with a cloth, a process called ``Fuki-urushi,'' which is repeated 13 to 24 times, giving it a sophisticated luster.

Lacquerware, which started out as a fun way to make it yourself, has become one of Okayama Prefecture's specialty crafts.

Karasujobori began when Mr. Kyuho Kiguchi carved his own tea utensils as a hobby. Mr. Kiguchi, who eventually began to make wood carving his full-time occupation, was convinced that the wood carvings were ``produced by Okayama and should not be shamed,'' and in 1927 he named a series of his works ``Ujobori.''

Since it was started as a hobby, the craftsman's attitude towards carefully selecting materials and carefully completing the work until he is satisfied with it has been passed down to the craftsmen today, and it has now become one of Okayama's special products.

Lacquerware that can be used for a long time makes a great gift.

In Okayama, Karasujo-bori is known as ``Obonya-san'' and has been loved by many people. They mainly make round and square trays, which have been familiar to people living in Okayama since ancient times, as well as coffee trays and accessory cases. All of them are attractive because of their three-dimensional hand carving, the beautiful wood grain that appears due to the time-consuming "Fuki lacquer", and the luster and flavor that increase with use.

Because they can be used for a long time, many people use them not only for home use but also as souvenirs and gifts.

Okayama Prefectural souvenir shop Harenokuni-okayamakan

700-0822 1-1-22 Omotemachi, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefectur...

This is a select shop that has collected a large number of "good things from Okayama," including souvenirs, of course, but also carefully selected local foods, Bizen Pottery, and other folk crafts, that will make you say, "Wow, there are such great things in Okayama!?" and make you want to tell others about them.