{"product_id":"mrs-019-kakugata-kabin-kumo","title":"Kakugata Kabin Kumo — red clouds and gold leaf on a square lacquer vase","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhy this vase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo cloud shapes sit one above the other on the front of this vase, each drawn in red lacquer and filled with gold leaf. They soften a form that is otherwise all straight lines. Fill it with fresh flowers and a metal liner inside keeps the water off the lacquer. Or leave it empty and let the clouds hold the room's attention on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe pattern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHidehira-nuri is the lacquer tradition of Hiraizumi in Iwate, built on gold leaf worked against a lacquer ground. Here the cloud outline is painted in red lacquer, and the gold leaf sits inside it: four diamonds set around a crossed centre. On a vase built from straight lines, a rounded shape like this earns its place, taking the edge off the corners the eye keeps landing on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe workshop\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Ichinoseki, Marusan Shikki has made Hidehira-nuri since 1904 and is now run by its fifth generation. Each vase starts as a single block of hoo, or Japanese magnolia, worked through roughly fifteen steps of lacquer before the gold leaf is set by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to know before you buy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with any urushi lacquerware, this piece is not tableware and needs only dry care. Wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid water and damp cloths, since moisture can work into the wood and loosen the lacquer. Avoid solvents and alcohol-based cleaners too, since they can dissolve the lacquer. Handle it gently, as a hard knock or drop can chip the gold leaf or crack the lacquer underneath. Store away from direct sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eW90 × D90 × H255 mm, 970g. It comes with two slim black lacquer boards to stand it on, each finished with a red and gold motif at one end. Shipped from Japan via DHL with tracking. Because the gold leaf is set by hand, expect small, natural variation from one vase to the next. After using it with fresh flowers, empty the metal liner and dry it rather than leaving water standing inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the quiet drift of these clouds suits your room, you can order below; this piece is in stock and usually ships within about a week. Questions about care or sizing are welcome — we read and answer every message ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marusan Shikki","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48338199904443,"sku":"MRS-019","price":310.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/6333\/7659\/files\/mrs-019-kakugata-kabin-kumo-product-02.png?v=1788854369","url":"https:\/\/toramonten.com\/fr-gb\/products\/mrs-019-kakugata-kabin-kumo","provider":"虎門天 - Toramonten -","version":"1.0","type":"link"}