Wajima-nuri craftsmen severely damaged by the earthquake

The city of Wajima, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, is famous for its traditional lacquerware. Unfortunately, the city suffered significant damage due to a massive earthquake that hit Japan recently. Lacquerware is a type of tableware made by applying resin obtained from the sap of the lacquer tree to the surface of utensils. The lacquerware made in Wajima is known as "Wajima-Nuri" and holds the title of an Important Intangible Cultural Property in Japan.

The fire that occurred as a result of the recent earthquake has impacted many artisans in the region. According to the artisan association, some craftsmen have been affected to the extent that it is uncertain when they can resume production. They expressed concern, saying, "There are artisans who have passed away, so we don't know when we can start production again. We want to explore various ways to prevent artisans from quitting."

This situation poses a challenge not only to the preservation of traditional craftsmanship but also to the livelihoods of the artisans involved in the production of Wajima lacquerware.

Japanese

地震じしんで大おおきな被害ひがいを受うけた輪島塗わじまぬりの職人しょくにんたち

先日せんじつ日本にほんで発生はっせいした巨大きょだい地震じしんで、大おおきな被害ひがいを受うけた石川県いしかわけんの輪島市わじましは、漆器しっきで有名ゆうめいな場所ばしょです。漆器しっきとはウルシうるしの木きの幹みきから接種せっしゅした樹脂じゅしを塗料とりょうに使つかった日本にほんの伝統的でんとうてきな食器しょっきです。輪島市わじましで作つくられる漆器しっきは、「輪島塗わじまぬり」と呼よばれて、国くにの重要じゅうよう無形むけい文化財ぶんかざいになっています。今回こんかいの巨大きょだい地震じしんで発生はっせいした火災かさいにより、多おおくの職人しょくにんたちが被害ひがいを受うけたそうです。職人しょくにん同士どうしの組合くみあいによると、「亡なくなった職人しょくにんもいるので、いつ生産せいさんを始はじめることができるかわかりません。やめる職人しょくにんが出でないように、色々いろいろな方法ほうほうを考かんがえたいです。」と話はなしています。

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