Vintage Japanese Lacquerware | Set of 10 Bowls with Lids | Urushi Vermilion Red | Gold Rim | Miso Soup Bowl | Japan Tableware | Dinner Party

The Story Behind This Piece:

Deep within the hinterlands of northern Hiroshima, nestled in the Chugoku Mountains, lies the Geihoku region—a land defined by its profound silence and heavy winter snows. Here, in the sprawling "Kominka" (traditional folk house) of a former village headman, stood a "Kura" (storehouse) with thick earthen walls, designed specifically to protect treasures from the harsh elements. For decades, it served as a vessel for stopping time. Recently, from the innermost depths of a long-forgotten lacquer chest, these "Vermilion Lacquer Soup Bowls with Gold Rims" were awakened, their crimson hue as vivid as the day they were first finished.

Crafted in the early Showa period (1930s), these bowls represent the zenith of Japanese hand-tooling. In those days, the wealthy landowners of northern Hiroshima fostered a surprisingly sophisticated culture, inviting traveling artisans and scholars to their estates during the long, snowbound winters. These bowls were bespoke masterpieces, commissioned specifically for "Hare-no-hi" (sacred celebratory days) such as weddings or New Year’s festivities. To ensure that soup remained piping hot in the freezing mountain air, the wood was turned with intentional thickness before layers upon layers of premium "Hon-urushi" (natural lacquer) were applied in a painstaking process that took months to complete.

Holding these bowls, one is struck by a "heavy lightness"—a paradox found only in genuine artisan lacquerware. The deep, immersive vermilion was calculated to glow most brilliantly when illuminated by the flickering flames of an "Irori" (sunken hearth) against the backdrop of a white, snowy world outside. As the lid is lifted, the delicate gold rim catches the amber light of the hearth, and through the rising steam, one can almost see the portraits of the generations who once gathered around this table. This is the very pinnacle of the Japanese aesthetic of "In'ei Raisan" (In Praise of Shadows), where beauty is not found in glaring light, but in the subtle textures revealed by darkness.

The reason these bowls were consigned to the Kura for so long lies in the dramatic social shifts of the 20th century. Following post-war land reforms and the modernization of rural life, the traditional role of the village headman dissolved, and the grand culture of formal entertaining began to fade. These precious vessels, considered too sacred for everyday use, were carefully sequestered in the storehouse to protect them from the chaos of modern life. Ironically, this isolation provided the perfect "curing" environment for the lacquer. In the consistent humidity and darkness of the Kura, the lacquer molecules bonded more tightly over nearly a century, evolving into a luster more profound and durable than anything produced today.

The decision to release these bowls now stems from the current owner’s heartfelt desire to see them "live" again as functional tools. As the ancestral estate faces a turning point—renovation or transition—there is a profound wish not to let these masterpieces become dead museum pieces. Instead, by placing them in the hands of those who cherish the art of dining, the owner hopes to breathe new life into them. This act is a liberation of the spirits of the ancestors who lived alongside these vessels in the snowy highlands of Geihoku.

Today, we see in these bowls an overwhelming "Mingei" (folk art) value. They were born from the selfless devotion of anonymous craftsmen who thought only of the warmth in the user’s palm. This honest accumulation of handwork has, through the passage of time, donned a unique aura known as "Wabi-sabi"—the beauty of the authentic and the aged. The infinitesimal wear on the edges and the deep glow rising from beneath the vermilion are a collaborative art form between nature and time that cannot be replicated.

To welcome these Showa-era treasures into a modern home is to inherit a fragment of the "mindful living" once practiced in the mountain manors of northern Hiroshima. Whether used for a New Year’s Ozoni or a quiet evening meal, these bowls possess the power to transform the quality of a space and slow the flow of time. As you use them, the lacquer will continue to grow and adapt to your touch, achieving a state of "Keinen Bika" (beauty that increases with age). This is more than tableware; it is a cultural legacy nurtured by the climate and history of Hiroshima, a soulful companion meant to be cherished for a lifetime.

Condition & Notes:
Please note before purchasing.
This is a vintage or antique item sold as-is.
Due to age and long-term storage, natural signs of wear and aging may be present, including:
* small scratches or scuffs
* fading or discoloration
* glaze irregularities or imperfections
* crackling (crazing), kiln marks, or gold wear
* slight warping or age-related changes in wooden parts
Vintage and antique items may also carry natural storage-related scents from wood, paper, lacquer, smoke, or long-term preservation environments.
These characteristics are part of the individuality, historical character, and quiet beauty that vintage Japanese items carry.
They are not flaws, but the gentle traces of time.
We kindly ask for your understanding that vintage and antique items differ from newly manufactured products.
We do our best to show all notable details in the photos, but some small imperfections may not be fully visible.
Please review the dimensions carefully before purchasing, as photos may make items appear larger or smaller depending on display settings and shooting conditions.
Please note that colors may appear slightly different depending on lighting conditions and screen settings.
Only the items shown in the photos are included unless otherwise stated.
Display stands, decorative props, or accessories used for photography are not included unless explicitly stated.
Thank you for appreciating the character and spirit of these timeworn pieces.

Dimensions:

Height: 8.8 cm (3.46 in)
Base Diameter: 6.0 cm (2.36 in)
Rim Diameter: 11.4 × 11.4 cm (4.49 × 4.49 in)
Maximum Circumference: 36.4 cm (14.33 in)
Weight: 110 g (3.88 oz)

Shipping Information:
All items are shipped from Hiroshima, Japan.
Orders are usually dispatched within 3–5 business days after payment is confirmed.
For shipments to the United States, we use DHL Express or UPS with full tracking and insurance.
For all other destinations, orders are shipped via DHL Express, UPS, or Japan Post EMS depending on the destination and shipping conditions.
Each item is carefully packed with protective materials to ensure safe delivery.
Estimated delivery time is approximately 7–14 business days depending on customs procedures, local delivery conditions, weather disruptions, and customs inspections.
International Buyers – Duties, VAT & Taxes:
Import duties / customs duties are covered by us for all available shipping destinations.
However, VAT, GST, consumption taxes, customs processing fees, carrier handling fees, and other local import-related charges are not included in the item price unless otherwise stated.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
Depending on your country’s regulations, these charges may be collected either by local customs authorities or by the shipping carrier upon delivery.
For many higher-value international orders, VAT/GST and import-related processing charges are commonly collected at the time of delivery.
Please note that free shipping or customs duty coverage does not mean that VAT/GST or local import-related charges are included.
Even when customs duties are covered by us, VAT/GST and local import-related charges may still be payable separately by the buyer upon delivery.
We do not mark items as gifts or under-declare their value for customs purposes.
Please ensure that your shipping address and contact information are accurate and complete.
If a package is returned due to an incorrect address, unpaid VAT/GST or import-related charges, refusal, or failed delivery, all return and reshipping costs are the buyer’s responsibility.
International deliveries may occasionally experience delays due to customs procedures or local postal conditions.

Damage During Shipping:
In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 10 days of delivery and provide clear photos of:
* the damaged item
* the outer shipping box
* the inside packaging condition
* the shipping label
Please keep all packaging materials and damaged items until the shipping carrier completes the investigation.
Minor imperfections consistent with the nature of vintage or antique items are not considered shipping damage.

Returns & Refunds:
All items are vintage or antique and sold as-is.
Due to the nature of vintage and antique items, we generally do not accept returns, cancellations, or refunds except where required by law or covered by shipping insurance.
Returns or refunds are not accepted for reasons such as:
* change of mind
* customs delays
* minor differences in condition
* color differences
* texture variations
* size impression differences
* natural signs of age and wear
However, if severe loss or damage during shipping is officially confirmed by the carrier’s insurance, we will respond within the scope of the insurance coverage.
For customers in the UK and EU, applicable consumer protection laws and cooling-off rights will take precedence where required by law.

Safety & Usage:
These items are decorative vintage or antique pieces intended for adult collectors.
They are not toys and are not suitable for direct food use.
Vintage ceramics may contain historical materials or glazes that do not meet modern food safety standards.
We cannot guarantee suitability for modern food, beverage, dishwasher, microwave, oven, or direct cooking use.
Please enjoy them as decorative objects that bring quiet beauty and history into your space.
Handle with care and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, or heat.

Liability Disclaimer:
We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, damage, allergic reactions, injury, loss, or issues resulting from the use, handling, aging, restoration, transportation, or storage of vintage or antique items.
All products are sold as decorative vintage collectibles, and customers are responsible for proper handling, display, usage, and storage.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Additional Notes by Region:
■ United States
State taxes, such as Sales Tax, may be collected according to local regulations.
California Proposition 65:
Some vintage items may contain historical materials such as natural lacquer, pigments, metals, or antique finishes. This notice is provided for informational purposes only.
■ European Union (EU)
Our shop is not registered for IOSS or EU VAT collection.
Import VAT, customs processing fees, handling charges, or other import-related charges may be collected upon delivery according to local regulations.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
■ United Kingdom
Our shop is not registered for UK VAT collection.
Import VAT and related charges may be collected upon delivery.
The buyer will be considered the importer of record for customs purposes.
■ Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
Import VAT/GST, customs processing fees, handling fees, carrier fees, or other import-related charges may apply according to local regulations.
For Taiwan:
Registration with the EZ WAY app may be required for customs clearance.
■ Hong Kong
Hong Kong currently does not generally impose VAT/GST on imported goods.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions regarding our items, shipping, usage, dimensions, or condition, please feel free to contact us before purchasing.
We’re happy to assist you and will do our best to respond as promptly as possible.
Thank you for considering a piece from our kura — each item carries a quiet story shaped by time in Japan.
This piece is part of our curated collection discovered in rural Japan.
On our official website, we share:
– the story of the kura (traditional Japanese storehouse) where this item was discovered
– background on how similar objects were once used in everyday life
– exclusive collections and pieces not listed elsewhere
We hope these objects will continue their quiet journey with you.