Japan Princess in quake-hit city

The second daughter of Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess Akishino has visited the Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Institute of Lacquer Arts on the country’s Noto Peninsula, which suffered heavy damage from a powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day of 2024.

Princess Kako arrived at the institute on Thursday and talked with six artists who have been working in temporary studios. She also went on to try engraving a pattern on a lacquered board using a technique called chinkin. The Princess experienced the activity in a sociable atmosphere and was delighted when she successfully laid gold powder in an incision. 

Due to the earthquake, the institute suspended the courses for nine months and reopened in October 2024. At present, it is offering time-honored techniques in lacquerware making.