"Maeda Blue" Lacquer Finish Go bowls for size ~34 Go stones JAC-MDS-410-04

The inside of the bowl and the lid are finished in vermilion lacquer, so the contrast between the lacquer black of the outside and the Maeda blue makes this go chest even more beautiful.
This is a custom-made go-chest made to make Go equipment for the further enjoyment of go time.
Please check the picture.
It can hold up to size 40 Go stones.

"Maeda Blue", a pale blue color that emerges from the jet black, was created by a craftsman who was struck by the beauty of blue water from a clear stream he saw on a trip.
Maeda Blue was born out of a desire to create a new lacquerware product that would capture this beautiful blue color.
After many days of repeated trial and error, we finally succeeded in creating the blue color we imagined.
This is how “Maeda Blue” was born.

"Maeda Blue" is produced through the following process.

Primer
Two coats of primer are applied to the wood using a brush and spatula.
After drying in a room with controlled temperature and humidity for two days, sand the surface with sandpaper or a whetstone to remove unevenness and flatten the surface.

Middle Coating
The lacquer is applied with a lacquer brush and allowed to dry slowly in a room with controlled temperature and humidity.

Meddle sharpening
Surface irregularities are carefully polished with waterproof paper and SURUGA TAN charcoal to flatten the surface.

Top coat (inside)
Red lacquer is applied and slowly dried in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room.

Middle coat (outside)
Two coats of blue lacquer are applied and allowed to dry slowly in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room.

Middle sharpening Surface irregularities are carefully polished and flattened with water-resistant paper and SURUGA TAN charcoal.

Coating
Transparent lacquer is applied and allowed to dry slowly in a room with controlled temperature and humidity.

Ro-iro
This is the final step in giving the lacquer a luster. The lacquer is polished flat with waterproof paper, Suruga Tan charcoal, etc. to remove dust and other debris.
After that, a thin layer of Japanese Kamizuri urushi lacquer is rubbed into the lacquer, which is then dried slowly in a room with controlled temperature and humidity, and the lacquer is removed from the surface using polishing powder.

This process is repeated three times before completion.
This is how “Maeda Blue” is born.

Maeda Shikko is a lacquer craft workshop in Kyoto, where Buddhist altar tools are widely produced, and has been mainly engaged in the lacquer processing of Kyoto Buddhist altar tools.
Lacquer craftsmen Mr. Toshiharu Maeda and Mr. Kohei Maeda, the second generation of the family, continue to study the art of lacquering.

Their thoughts on creating works of art
They are expanding the world of lacquer painting with their own unique technique based on traditional lacquer painting techniques, with the hope of “continuing to create attractive works that enrich the heart by combining the natural warmth of wood with the luster of lacquer".

“Certified Craftsman of Kyoto Lacquerware”
He works hard every day in his workshop to create works of art with the desire to pass on tradition and technology to future generations.

• "Maeda Blue" Lacquer Finish Go bowls for size ~34 Go stones
  Product No.：JAC-MDS-410-04
  Size：Diameter 150 mm × Height about 110mm
  Weight：abot 0.9kg
• 1,000 JPY flat rate shipping within Japan, free shipping for purchases totaling 20,000 JPY or more.
  Please bear the actual cost for shipping charges outside Japan.