Ouchi-nuri

Japanese: 大内塗 - おおうちぬり

A regional brand of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Chugoku region.
It is produced in Yamaguchi City. Ouchi lacquerware began in the Muromachi period, and was one of the important export items in trade with Korea and China during the Ming Dynasty. Since the Showa period, it has become a popular specialty of Yamaguchi. It is characterized by a pattern of natural wood with multiple coats of deep vermilion lacquer called Ouchishu, autumn flowers hand-painted on the surface, and the Ouchi family crest, the Ouchi diamond, decorated with gold leaf. The most popular is the lacquered Ouchi doll, which is rare nationwide. It is a pair of dolls, a boy and a girl, said to be a symbol of marital harmony, and is also a popular gift for the first festival of the year as a Hina doll. In April 1989 (Heisei 1), it was designated as a traditional craft of Japan by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (currently the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry).

Source: Nichigai Associates "Encyclopedia of Japanese Regional Brands and Specialties" Encyclopedia Information on Japanese Regional Brands and Specialties

Japanese:

中国地方、山口県の地域ブランド。
山口市で製作されている。大内塗は室町時代に始まり、朝鮮や明時代の中国との交易上、重要な輸出品の一つであった。昭和以降は山口の特産品として親しまれている。天然木に大内朱と呼ばれる渋い朱色の漆を重ね塗り、表面に秋の草花を手描きして、大内氏の家紋・大内菱を金箔であしらった模様が特徴。最も人気のあるのは全国的にも珍しい漆塗りの大内人形。夫婦円満の象徴ともいわれる男女一対の人形で、雛人形として初節句の贈り物にも喜ばれている。1989(平成元)年4月、通商産業大臣(現・経済産業大臣)によって国の伝統的工芸品に指定。

出典　日外アソシエーツ「事典日本の地域ブランド・名産品」事典日本の地域ブランド・名産品について　情報

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