Updated at 2022-04-17
Tamakaji Zokoku, born in 1806, is recognized as the father of Kagawa lacquerware. He apprenticed with local lacquer artisans in Kyoto at the age of 20 and brought lacquer techniques back to his hometown of Takamatsu. He later combined Chinese, Thai, and Burmese lacquer techniques and established a market for lacquer in Japan. Mr. Zokoku invented several new techniques, including zokoku-nuri, kinma, goto-nuri, zonsei, and choshitsu. Of which, zokoku-nuri is named after Mr. Zokoku. Zokoku-nuri is a technique of repeatedly coating wood with lacquer and sprinkling black powder extracted from wild zizania latifolia onto the final coating to create demure yet elegant lacquerware.
Alliance Date: July 18, 2016
Language: Japanese
Area: 1,877 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 910,000 people
Main Industries/Features: Kagawa Prefecture serves as an access point between Honshu to Shikoku, earning it the nickname Shikoku Gateway. The prefecture boasts abundant agricultural products, minimal natural disasters, and distinct seasonal natural landscapes. Kagawa Prefecture also focuses on regional revitalization with an emphasis on supporting industrial transformation and providing financial assistance to companies establishing facilities in the area.