Wajima Museum of Urushi Art (lacquer art museum)

The Wajima Museum of Urushi Art was established in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture as a base for spreading awareness of the region’s outstanding lacquerware-making tradition. The external appearance of the Museum is reminiscent of the Azekura-zukuri (ancient architectural style using interlocking logs with a triangular section) architecture of the Shoso-in treasure house in Nara. Inside the spacious Museum, lacquer is everywhere. Besides displays introducing the historic Wajima lacquer-making tradition, there are also many lacquerware masterpieces made by Living National Treasures and Members of the Japan Art Academy on display. In the adjoining “Urushi no Sato Square”, visitors can view examples of several tree species, including trees that produce lacquer, and other trees the wood of which has lacquer applied to it to make lacquerware.