This time, I shall discuss the connection between a famous animated film and lacquer.
Recently, I watched the DVD of Princess Mononoke. The film depicts how humans should live alongside nature.
In the film, pay attention to the scenes in the protagonist Ashitaka's homeland. In Ashitaka's village, lacquer is applied to buildings and large pots. On the other hand, let us observe the dining scene at another location called the Tatara site. People were eating from bowls made of plain wood, uncoated with lacquer. This difference in depiction is quite intriguing. From this, we can understand that Ashitaka's homeland, the Tōhoku region, was a “village of lacquer”.
In Iwate Prefecture, where the Ezo wars took place, there is a place called Ninohe City. Even today, Ninohe City has many lacquer trees grow. It is a representative production area for the domestic lacquer I use. The artisans who make their living from lacquer tree sap also face many challenges. Cultivating the trees, harvesting the sap, and reviving the forest. Even from the film's detailed depictions, the history and culture of Japanese lacquer come through. Next time you watch the film, do pay attention to the Japanese lacquer there too.
