Makie (gold lacquer) experience in Tokyo (English Guide)

Enjoy a 90-minute Maki-e experience. Learn a traditional Japanese lacquer art technique, involves painting designs with lacquer and decorating them by sprinkling gold or silver powder.
【Meeting Place】
Nihonbashi Mutoh Main Store

【Time schedule】
10:30~12:00
Enjoy a 90-minute Maki-e experience. (with regular customer)

【About Nihonbashi Mutoh Main Store】
Immerse yourself in the charm of traditional crafts, surrounded by beautiful lacquerware, at a shop with a history of about 100 years. Nihonbashi Mutoh Main Store, established in 1923, is a wholesale dealer of high-quality lacquerware and glassware, with department stores as its main clientele. You can learn about and experience the entire Maki-e process in a day.

【What is Maki-e?】
Maki-e, a traditional Japanese lacquer art technique, involves painting designs with lacquer and decorating them by sprinkling gold or silver powder before the lacquer dries. At Nihonbashi Mutoh, we use a cashew-based paint for creating your designs, finishing them with sprinkling metallic powder to ensure a safe and skin-friendly process.
For those who are not confident in their drawing skills, we offer original stencils (masking tape) created by our instructor. These stencils simplify the process, allowing you to add your favourite colors and create a beautiful piece of art.

【Schedule for the Day】
1, Begin by selecting the dishware you would like to decorate.
2. Watch a demonstration by the instructor to understand the process.
3. Decide on your design, attach the stencil (masking tape) and start painting with cashew-based paint.
4. Let it dry for a few minutes. The instructor will share insights about Maki-e and its history.
5. Peel off the stencil and sprinkle metallic powder over the painted areas.
6. Gently brush off the excess powder to reveal your design.
7. The instructor will carefully polish the dishware to enhance its finish.
8. Your unique artwork is complete! It will be packaged in a box and handed to you to take home.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.