Joboji Lacquer (Iwate): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Lacquer is tapped from mid-June to around October, with midsummer considered the best period.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Joboji Urushi is lacquer which has stable quality in addition to outstanding strength after curing. Since It provides a great variety in terms of transparency, cure time, and viscosity etc., it is highly evaluated by Lacquer users, such as lacquer artists, lacquer painters, and artisans who repair cultural properties buildings. It has been used to repair many buildings that represent Japan such as national treasures and important cultural properties.

Link with the production area

The largest lacquer forests in Japan have been taken over since Morioka Domain encouraged lacquer production during the Edo Period. Joboji Urushi has been produced by lacquer-tappers who have acquired traditional tapping skills. The area produces 70% of lacquer produced in Japan (2015).

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s73.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

Find on furusato nozei (opens in a new tab)Find online (opens in a new tab)

These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

Some shop links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The GI covers the raw lacquer itself (unrefined and raw urushi), not finished lacquerware.

FAQ

Raw Japanese lacquer tapped by skilled craftspeople mainly in Iwate Prefecture, along with parts of Aomori and Akita. Strong once cured, consistent in quality and available in a range of clarity, curing time and viscosity, it is valued by lacquer artists and used to restore national treasures. The area produces about 70 percent of Japan's domestic lacquer.

Joboji Lacquer is produced in All of Iwate Prefecture; Sannohe County, Hachinohe City and Towada City in Aomori Prefecture; and Kosaka Town in Kazuno County, Kazuno City and Odate City in Akita Prefecture.

Joboji Lacquer is in season (harvested or shipped) in Jun–Oct. Lacquer is tapped from mid-June to around October, with midsummer considered the best period.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) and online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Joboji Lacquer was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 27, 2018 (Registration No. 73). The registered producer group is Iwate Prefecture Joboji Urushi Production Association.