Yamada Shunkei

Tell us about the history of Yamada Shunkei and your specialty.

Hida Shunkei is a traditional craft invented more than 400 years ago. The main feature is lacquerware created using transparent lacquer on yellow or red stained wood, allowing the natural wood grain to be seen. Our mission is to make young people more interested in traditional crafts, so along with traditional handicrafts, we make wood accessories or items made with Hida Shunkei tecniques that young people can wear and use. Everything we make at Yamada Shunkei is handmade.

During the years of your activity do you have a memory with a customer or an event in particular that would you like to share?

There are many repeat customers. Most of them are customers from oversea. I'm glad to them for coming. This also means they are coming back to Hida Takayama as well. That is great for both us and the city. I always look forward to meet my customers again.

Let us hear about a place you would recommend in Takayama

I have to say, my recommendation is here! "laughs". Jokes apart, for example, during autumn festival, the Yatai traditional festival floats line up right before the store. I think it is a scenery where you can really catch the atmosphere of the festival.

About the coronavirus (COVID-19) what are the measures you are using?

First of all, we closed the shop and we are waiting for the emergency to pass to reopen. I’d like to say that, even if now the store is closed due to corona measures, we hope that people will be back in the streets of Takayama so it will be a warm city again soon. Now there is almost no one around in the city and it is so lonely!

Finally, do you have a message to say to the people who are reading this interview?

We are lonely so we are waiting for you in Hida Takayama!