Aiming for a new kind of tableware. The urushi (Japanese lacquer) glass of hyakushiki that brings a touch of splendor

When you hear the word "urushi ware," you probably picture a wooden vessel coated with urushi. Much of the urushi ware that has been made since ancient times, and is widely known today, takes this form—but the urushi ware proposed by hyakushiki (百色) is a little different. Called "urushi glass," these pieces are, as the name suggests, glass vessels finished with urushi. Crafted with the aim of creating a new kind of tableware, urushi glass is a fresh take on urushi ware in which a unique sensibility and refined technique come together.

From Kiso lacquerware to a new kind of urushi ware

Urushi ware has been made across various regions of Japan. In the area now known as Nagano Prefecture, a style called Kiso lacquerware has long been produced. Made using high-quality wood harvested near Kiso—including hinoki cypress—as its base and finished with urushi, these lacquered vessels and pieces of furniture are known as a local specialty.

Maruyoshi Kosaka Lacquerware Shop, the parent company of hyakushiki (百色), began its urushi business in this region roughly 70 years ago. Passing down their craft through generations of urushi artisans, primarily producing low tables (zataku), they have continually challenged themselves to create new kinds of tableware in order to convey the appeal of urushi vessels in a wider range of settings. Born from roughly 20 years of research and development, hyakushiki (百色) is the urushi glass brand that resulted from this pursuit.

The technique behind urushi glass, and its beauty

Glass and urushi. One reason this combination sounds unfamiliar is that applying urushi to glass has long been considered technically difficult. Even so, Maruyoshi Kosaka Lacquerware Shop has created urushi glass that aims to be as free and individual as a kaleidoscope—once called a "hyakushiki-megane" (hundred-colored lens)—by bringing together urushi, which embodies the depth of Japanese beauty, and glass, with its transparent loveliness.

One characteristic of urushi glass is that the inside of the vessel is left unlacquered, while urushi is layered onto the outside. This allows the beautiful patterns to be enjoyed from the inside as well, while also letting you plate food without hesitation. The depth and refined luster of the finish are qualities unique to natural urushi.

When we asked Maruyoshi Kosaka Lacquerware Shop about the process behind urushi glass, they told us they couldn't share too many details, but they did give us an overview.

First, the surface of the glass is thoroughly cleaned, followed by a pretreatment process to help the urushi adhere to the glass. Urushi is then applied for both painting and coating. After allowing it to naturally harden until it's firm enough to touch, the piece is baked to complete the process.

At first glance, this process may seem simple, but hidden within it are the techniques needed to make urushi adhere to glass, along with the artisan's skill in creating beautiful painted designs.

A board-lined storage space called a "muro." It's like a large wooden box that keeps dust off the lacquered vessels while maintaining the humidity and temperature needed for the urushi to harden properly.

All of the painting on the glass is done entirely by hand. The delicate designs, painted stroke by stroke with a fine brush, offer a glimpse of the artisan's careful, meticulous handiwork. Normally, with urushi ware, the background is coated first, followed by the painted design—but with urushi glass, since the design is meant to be viewed through the glass, the painting is done first, with the background layered on afterward. Techniques passed down from traditional urushi ware are also applied here, such as maki-e, in which patterns are painted in urushi and then dusted with gold or silver powder, and hana-nuri, a finishing technique in which the surface isn't polished but instead coated evenly with urushi to create a smooth finish.

The motifs and subtle beauty of color in hyakushiki

Chrysanthemums with layer upon layer of petals. Ripples spreading gently outward. Clouds floating in the sky. The motifs of hyakushiki (百色) are all things we encounter in everyday life. Nature and the seasons, evoking a sense of "wa" (Japanese tradition), are taken up as design themes.

A set of two plates featuring fireworks that flicker like sparklers against a deep-toned background (Asagi and Botan). At first glance they may look almost black, but the Asagi is actually a blue-green, while the deep crimson is the color of Botan (peony). The fireworks, dotted across the surface, are rendered with gold powder, giving them an elegant sparkle. Since the set includes two relatively small, deep vessels, they work well as side-dish bowls or for serving desserts like ice cream. They also make a lovely choice as a wedding gift or return gift for a celebratory occasion.

When you line up the pieces from hyakushiki (百色), each one has a quiet elegance paired with a sense of splendor. Beyond the vessels themselves, when light hits them, the motifs cast beautiful shadows, lending a fleeting, delicate charm reminiscent of a Japanese painting. They're a wonderful choice for special celebratory occasions, or for serving guests.

Harin Plate M in Kuro-shu (black and vermillion), lined with leaves whose delicate veins are drawn like the petals of a large blossom. Against a solid, weighty black base, you can enjoy the lustrous color characteristic of urushi. At 21cm in diameter, it's a generously sized piece—wonderful as the main plate at the center of the table, and striking enough to display as a piece of interior decor.

A set of two Rasen Tumblers Toh (clear), decorated with dozens of spiraling rings. Vermillion, orange, and brown—various colors blend together exquisitely within the motif. The cool, clear glass pairs beautifully with cold drinks, and the spiral motif makes for a design that's easy to incorporate into everyday tableware. Perfect as an everyday tumbler, for chilled sake, or as a wedding gift or celebratory present, this tumbler set fits the occasion just right.

This is the Suirin small plate set of 2 (Circle and Light), depicting ripples spreading across the surface of water. By layering translucent transparent urushi (Japanese lacquer) over opaque lacquer on glass vessels, the design creates a brown gradation with a retro-modern, nostalgic feel, while the motifs drawn with straight lines and circles also bring a sense of freshness. These small plates, easy to hold in one hand, are perfect for serving sweets when entertaining guests. They also look wonderful paired with the tumblers introduced earlier.

Adding color to the table, hyakushiki (hundred colors) also plays a role in creating a cheerful atmosphere as tableware.

Depicting the natural phenomenon of colorful clouds considered an auspicious omen, the Saiun sake cup, large size, features a combination of red, blue, yellow, and green. The cup itself looks just like a cloud, and even the base is adorned with a beautiful gold-based coloring that catches the light. These small cups are recommended for serving cold sake or other cold drinks. With four different color variations available, having one for each person at the table brings a bright, cheerful atmosphere to the meal. The way they line up when the box is opened is lovely too, making them sure to delight as a gift—a truly special piece of urushi glass.

Caring for Urushi Glass

With urushi glass, the lacquer is applied not to the inside of the tableware but to the outside. Because of this, it is more durable and less prone to peeling than typical lacquerware, making it suitable for everyday use.

Please keep the following points in mind when using these items.

・These are not heat-resistant dishes, so please avoid using them with extremely hot food or drinks.

・If metal cutlery comes into contact with the lacquered surface on the outside, it may cause the lacquer to peel. Please handle with care.

・Do not use in a microwave, dishwasher, over an open flame, or in a hot water bath.

How to Clean and Store

・When washing, use a soft sponge; do not use scouring pads or abrasive cleansers.

・Stacking pieces directly on top of each other can cause the lacquer to peel. Store them without stacking, or place a soft cloth between pieces if you do need to stack them.

・Store in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

▽You can find hyakushiki (hundred colors) urushi glass here