Sakurai lacquer ware is one of Ehime Prefecture's designated traditional craft and has a long history, which began in the Edo period (1603-1867). According to the record, there were seven lacquerers including Monzaemon Tsukihara in as early as 1828. When the craft first began, so-called “Shunkei” style was adopted and it was used for inexpensive ware for common, daily use. However, during the Tempo　era (1830−1843), the distinctive “kushizashi” method of joining the four corners of jubako (stacked lacquer ware boxes) by adding comb-teeth shaped parts to the bottoms of the corners was developed, which gave the Sakurai lacquer ware a unique quality. With this progress, the Sakurai lacquer ware, which had been unknown for a long time, were well known throughout Japan. Further development continued with the invitation of experienced and talented lacquer ware craftsmen from other regions of Wajima and Kishu, improving lacquer finishes skills such as “chinkin” (gold foil) and “makie” (gold and silver powder), which were taken over up to the present. You can see the 200 years of history and the craftsmen’s progressive spirit in this proud traditional craft.