Ken Narumi, the owner of Wagia Narumiya, who was born in Hirosaki and lives in Sendai, is currently looking for supporters for a Tsugaru-nuri outdoor product project.

The items to be produced are the shade "Kumori" and the end cap "Donzu" used for outdoor compact LED lanterns. All of them are made with Tsugaru lacquer “Kara-nuri”, and the purpose is to have people use it as an item that suits their lifestyle as well as the appeal of Tsugaru lacquerware. "Komori" means "umbrella" in Tsugaru dialect, and "donzu" means "buttocks."

While working as a company employee in Sendai, Mr. Narumi established “Wagia Narumiya” with a friend from his university days who loved the outdoors. This is the first time for me to make an original product, and I focused on Tsugaru lacquerware, a traditional craft, to contribute to my hometown. “I thought about developing Tsugaru-nuri outdoor gear that I would like to use,” says Narumi.

Mr. Shoji Matsuyama of Matsuyama Lacquer Workshop, who is in charge of Tsugaru lacquerware, is a lacquerware craftsman who succeeded his father in Hirosaki. According to Narumi, he was introduced by an acquaintance who works at the Hirosaki City Hall. Mr. Narumi recalls, "I visited the workshop for the first time last November and consulted about the project, and he kindly agreed to give me a new opportunity to utilize Tsugaru lacquerware."

Three types of return items will be prepared for fund supporters through crowdfunding. The zelkova wood “komori” is made of zelkova with the technique of “sururushi” to make the wood grain stand out, and the hiba wood “komori” is partly Tsugaru-nuri applied to the “printed lacquer”, and Tsugaru-nuri is applied to the entire surface. "Bat" made of hiba wood. Both are set with Tsugaru lacquer “Donzu”.

Mr. Narumi says, "There are many custom parts, but there are almost none made of lacquerware or traditional crafts. I want to tickle your mind," he said with a smile.

Recruitment of support is until July 20th.