
Updated at 2022-04-17
The longstanding popularity of Japanese lacquerware is closely associated with its aesthetic and practicality. Kinma, a representative technique used in Kagawa lacquerware, entails a complex process of engraving the surface of the lacquer, inlaying the grooves with lacquer, and grinding and polishing the workpiece to obtain a smooth and glossy finish. Despite the complicated manufacture, Kinma tea trays, bowls, plates, and even tables are just as practical as they are beautiful. They continue to be ubiquitous in daily Japanese life. The wall ornament in the picture is an example of the many forms of Kinma lacquerware. It is with practical use that Japanese lacquer continues to maintain such vigorous vitality.
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.