Save Japanese Traditional art -Wajima Nuri

On New Year's day at 16:10, magnitude 7.6 earthquake along with tsunami hit Noto Peninsula in Japan and neighbouring prefectures on Japan Sea side.

The death toll has now reached 230. More than 30,000 houses are lost or damaged and 15,000 people live in evacuation centres in freezing temperatures without sufficient water or electricity. Further landslides caused by a week of rain and snow, continuous daily earthquakes and many ravaged roads are making delivering support crews and supplies as well as recovery of infrastructures slow and difficult.

One of the most severely impacted regions is Wajima. It was once a bustling town with many tourists, Japanese and foreigners, strolling down the morning markets, enjoying hot springs, fresh seafood and a variety of luminous lacquerware called Wajima Nuri. It was only March 2023 when a group of 28 Australian visitors from Sydney visited Wajima Nuri ateliers (artist’s workrooms) and attended workshops.

The art of Wajima Nuri took its roots in the region in 1500AD, although the first lacquered object unearthed in Japan dates back 7000 years. Since then, it has developed into the durable, exquisite lacquerware exclusive to Wajima region, which involves more than 120 stages in the production process (https://www.wajimanuri.co.jp/e_tayashikkiten/process.html). Each skilled craftsman works with his/her specific skill and task, skills developed over the working life of the artisan. This may be wood turning, assembly, carving, undercoating, lacquering, top coating or decorating to name a few.

Now the morning market streets are burnt down to ash along with thousands of houses. Almost all the 800 valued craftsmen and Wajima Nuri business owners have lost their homes. Added to the personal losses is the destruction of over 500 ateliers, storehouses, galleries and retail shops. Their equipment - hand tools, machinery, paints, and Urushi lacquer have been severely damaged or lost. Without craftsmen and equipment, this centuries-long art will vanish.

Now is the time, more than ever, to protect this cultural asset. Your donation will directly go to Wajima Lacquerware Commercial and Industrial Association (https://wajimanuri-or-jp.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc). This Association works to support the Wajima Nuri business owners and artisans.

Your understanding and generosity are deeply appreciated and will help preserve a rare and important historical art. Thank you.

能登半島地震で亡くなられた方々のご冥福をお祈り申し上げ、被災者の皆様へは心よりお見舞い申し上げるとともに、復興に尽力されている皆様には安全と健康に留意されご活躍されることをお祈りいたします。

この度の災害で、500年以上にわたる輪島塗の日本文化遺産が大変な危機に晒されています。

職人の方々、スタッフの皆様のご自宅、輪島塗の店舗、工房、商品、機械、道具に甚大な被害を受けました。日々生きることに精一杯の避難生活の中で、店舗、工房の修復、機械の修理と物資の購入、スタッフ・職人さんへの報酬など目前の課題が山積みです。技術者と物資・設備・器具が不足すれば、この伝統工芸は消滅の一途をたどるでしょう。復興に向け、必要物資の購入と建物の再建にお手伝いできれば幸いです。皆様からの寄付金は直接、輪島漆器商工業協同組合 (https://wajimanuri.or.jp)へ送金し、被害を受けた約500軒もの輪島塗店舗・工房への微力ながらの支援とさせていただきます。金額等の明細は追ってご報告させて頂きます。どうか、皆様のご協力をお願いいたします。

被災者の皆様のご健康と、諸地域の1日も早い復興を心よりお祈りいたしております。