This past January 1, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture was struck by a powerful earthquake. The most deadly in Japan since 2016, this earthquake also caused a tsunami on the Sea of Japan coast, widespread landslides, and countless structure fires.
Among the many communities damaged, Wajima suffered a considerable amount of damage. This city is known for its beautiful Wajima-nuri lacquerware, which is quite distinct from other lacquerware techniques found in other parts of Japan. Wajima-nuri artisans were particularly impacted by the recent earthquake, prompting concern that art form may disappear.
Hokusei’s parent company is located in the prefecture adjacent to Ishikawa Prefecture, and its staff have personally witnessed some of the earthquake’s damage. Due to this, our company is seeking ways to support the residents of the Noto Peninsula, by finding new markets for Wajima-nuri lacquerware.
For those interested in making a financial donation in support of the Noto Peninsula earthquake victims, the Japan Society of Oregon (JASO) has a page for accepting financial gifts: https://jaso.org/2024/01/donate-now-for-the-noto-peninsula-recovery/
We look forward to doing what we can to help the recovery of the Noto Peninsula region.
