This handmade coffee cup is a traditional piece of Yamanaka lacquerware, a Japanese craft with a rich history. Here are the details:

Finish: The black color of the cup is coated with red lacquer, creating a lacquer technique known as negoro-nuri. This results in a surface where the black shows through in certain areas when lightly polished.

History of Yamanaka Lacquerware:

The origins of Yamanaka lacquerware date back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573–1592). The tradition began when artisans from the Echizen region (in present-day Fukui Prefecture) moved to the Yamanaka Onsen area in Ishikawa Prefecture, bringing with them the rokuro-hiki (woodturning) technique. Today, Yamanaka is one of Japan’s leading lacquerware producers, known for its emphasis on innovation and design to meet the diverse needs of modern consumers.

This item is not only functional but also a work of art that connects Japanese history with modern daily life.