Photoscape / Learning to lacquer from an old hand

Mitsuo Kaku, left, teaches Yuka Ito the characteristics of lacquerware at his workshop in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The sound of lacquerware being polished reverberates in a roughly 10-square-meter workshop in the Nishiogu district of Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. The workshop belongs to Mitsuo Kaku, a 70-year-old lacquerware craftsman, also known as a "nushi." Working alongside him is Yuka Ito, 26, who since January has spent nearly three hours a day commuting to and from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, to learn from Kaku five days a week.

For several years while working in restaurants, distribution warehouses and elsewhere after she graduated from high school, Ito cherished a desire to someday make things by hand. Through the internet, she found a program supported by the Arakawa Ward government that places apprentices with makers of traditional crafts. She applied without hesitation and has since learned by the side of Kaku, who is registered with the ward as possessing an intangible cultural asset.

Ito's duties include polishing and repairing lacquerware that is 50 to 60 years old. Once a month, she has the opportunity to demonstrate her skills and interact with customers at sales events held at department stores and other venues in Tokyo.

Chopsticks, spoons, plates and other items on sale at a department store in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, where product demonstrations are held. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Kaku gently watches over Ito's hands at work, speaking in a calm voice. "Getting angry wouldn't do any good. I want her to think for herself and try things on her own, and grow while making mistakes," he said.

The workshop has another member -- Marie Tsukamoto, 27, who is in her sixth year apprenticing under Kaku. For Ito, she represents a more relatable role model. Holding a lacquered beer mug that Tsukamoto made, Ito said, "Maybe I can also do this someday."

Ito's trial period ends in March. "There're so many things I want to do, like crossover work involving my favorite anime characters and traditional crafts. But for now I have to take my master's words to heart when he says, 'First, try for yourself.' Step by step, I want to do what I can," she said. Ito is taking her first steps on the path toward achieving her big dream.

Yuka Ito (hands shown top and right) carefully files an old piece of lacquerware, guided by Mitsuo Kaku. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun's metropolitan pages, March 4, 2018)

Yuka Ito, top, and Marie Tsukamoto at work in the workshop. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Yuka Ito, left, holds a lacquered beer mug made by Marie Tsukamoto at the workshop. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/