The Ancient Art of Dry Lacquer: Masterpiece Kanshitsu Urushi Chawan by Kimura Gengai.

Experience a rare pinnacle of Japanese lacquer artistry with this breathtaking Kanshitsu (Dry Lacquer) chawan, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Toyama-based Urushi master Kimura Gengai.

The Rare Technique: Kanshitsu & Urushi
Unlike traditional ceramic bowls, this masterpiece is created using the ancient, highly laborious Kanshitsu technique. Layers of fine hemp cloth are painstakingly sculpted and bound together using natural, high-grade Urushi lacquer. Once fully cured, the vessel is incredibly durable, entirely water-resistant, and astonishingly lightweight—weighing a mere 187 grams. When held, it immediately surprises the hands with a warm, organic, and velvety tactile sensation that ceramics cannot replicate.

Visual & Dramatic Glaze:
Gengai-san demonstrates an incredibly bold, modern abstract sensibility. The body features a deep, multi-toned dark base, dramatically counterbalanced by cascading, fiery rivers of rich red and creamy-yellow lacquer. The interior reveals a brilliant shimmering depth that glows when caught by the light.

Artist Pedigree & Completeness:
The Lineage: As documented in the included Shiori (biography pamphlet), Kimura Gengai graduated from the prestigious Toyama Prefectural Takaoka Kogei School and learned his craft under his legendary father, the lacquer master Kimura Tenko.

The Mark: Signed by the artist on the base in distinct vermillion lacquer.

Tomobako: Accompanied by its original, officially signed and sealed Paulownia wooden storage box (Tomobako).

Material: Hemp cloth foundation & Natural Urushi Lacquer (Kanshitsu)
Weight: 187 grams
Dimensions: 12 cm (4.72") Width x 8 cm (3.15") Height

Condition: New condition. Note for transparency: The original yellow presentation wrapping cloth (furoshiki) shows minor stray threads/fraying along its raw edges, typical of its age, while the bowl itself remains absolutely perfect.

For the serious collector of Japanese Tea Ceremony utensils or high-end Asian lacquerware, this piece offers a striking museum-quality presence that bridges ancient technique with mid-century avant-garde design.