JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving on board. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Kimiko Miura, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who experienced Tsugaru-nuri in Aomori Prefecture.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Tsugaru-nuri is a type of lacquerware and is registered as a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Tsugaru-nuri has four representative techniques, each of which takes more than 40 processes and more than two months to produce. We had a chance to experience the process of making Tsugaru-nuri, which takes a lot of time and effort to complete, by experiencing the process of rough grinding (a process to produce patterns).
This time, we had the opportunity to experience the sharpening process at Fukushi Kobo (3-17-1 Senkari, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture). Mr. Fukushi, a craftsman, explained to us the process of Tsugaru-nuri (Tsugaru lacquerware) and some tips on how to sharpen the lacquerware.
If sharpened too much, the pattern will be lost. The file was moved in accordance with the shape, but the angle and the degree of force varied the appearance of the pattern. It was quite difficult to do more than just move the file.
As mentioned above, there are four types of Tsugaru-nuri, of which Karan-nuri is the most widely produced, accounting for about 90% of the total production. This time, we were able to experience sharpening a Karanuri spoon.
The next technique is Nanako-nuri (Nanako lacquerware). The technique uses rapeseed seeds, and the difficult part is to leave a beautiful ring on the surface.
Next is monshi-sha-nuri, in which a pattern is created by covering the lacquer with a layer of rice husk ash (sa or sha: rice husk ash in the Tsugaru dialect). When you touch the finished product, you can feel the unevenness of the gauze.
Lastly, there is Nishiki-nuri. Nishiki-nuri is a variation of nichinago-nuri, and is characterized by its gorgeous patterns.
Colors are produced by mixing lacquer and pigments. The color shade varies depending on the speed at which it dries and the craftsman. Also, it is said that you can tell which craftsman made the piece by looking at the sharpening.
–How are you involved in this effort?
Aomori Prefecture is home to Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware and Ishikawa Prefecture to Wajima-nuri lacquerware, and both Aomori Airport and Komatsu Airport have booths at events held in each other’s regions (RAB Festival in September and MRO Travel Festa in June). Aomori and Ishikawa prefectures are often thought of as distant, but the shortest flight time is 3 hours and 50 minutes. A flight leaves in the morning and arrives around noon, so you can enjoy sightseeing on the same day! There are 6 round-trip flights a day from Aomori to Haneda, and Haneda connections are very convenient.
This is a process chart of Tsugaru-nuri made by Mr. Fukushi. When he displayed the process chart at the exhibiting stores, he was sometimes asked to give this color after carefully examining it. It looks like a color sample to those who do not know the process of Tsugaru-nuri, and it is indeed a cute design that the stage called “Ara Togi” looks like polka dots.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Aomori City holds the Nebuta Festival from August 2 to 7, and JAL Aomori Branch is a co-sponsor of Aomori Yamada’s large Nebuta, which parade and jump around the city during the festival, together with the Mae Nebuta, which is shaped like an airplane.
–What is your message to travelers?
During the festival period from August 2 to 7, Fukushi Kobo will also be selling Tsugaru-nuri products at ASPAM. Every process of Tsugaru-nuri is done by hand, one by one. Therefore, no two Tsugaru-nuri products have the same pattern. The more you look at it, the more you will be attracted by the delicacy of the pattern. Please try to find your favorite Tsugaru-nuri products by actually holding them in your hands! Why don’t you take this rare opportunity to visit Aomori and talk with the craftsmen?
© Source travel watch
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