Production of Hida Shunkei began when a tray made by carpenter Takahashi Kizaemon and lacquer artisan Narita Mitsuemon was presented to the Kanamori family in the early 1600’s, during a period of multiple temple and shrine construction in the castle town. The piece was lauded by Tea Ceremony devotees and word of its beauty soon spread nationwide. In this lacquering style, bark from the cypress and other pliable woods is coated with a translucent lacquer that emphasizes the wood’s natural grain. With age, items take on a certain gloss and the grain seems to come through the transparent lacquer even more pronounced.