Aug 14 2026
The Complete Guide to Caring for Japanese Lacquerware (Shikki) | Cleaning, Dishwashers & How to Choose the Real Thing
Japanese lacquerware, or shikki, is prized not only for its beauty but for how long it can last when cared for properly — some pieces stay in use for decades. Still, it’s natural to wonder: can it go in the dishwasher? Will regular dish soap damage it?This guide covers the basics of what lacquerware actually is, how to clean and care for it day to day, whether dishwashers and detergents are safe to use, and simple ways to bring it into everyday life. At the end, we’ll look at what makes Wajima-nuri — a style of lacquerware made in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture for over 150 years — so special.
What Is Japanese Lacquerware?
Lacquerware refers to wooden (or occasionally other) items finished with layers of urushi, a natural lacquer made from the sap of the urushi tree. Once cured, urushi forms an extremely hard, durable coating that’s both water-resistant and naturally antibacterial.
Because of these properties, lacquerware has been used for far more than tableware throughout Japanese history — it appears on furniture, Buddhist altar fittings, and the architectural details of shrines and temples. Lacquerware was once so admired abroad that it was referred to simply as “Japan” in the West, a testament to how closely it came to represent the country’s craftsmanship.
Although it can look delicate, properly cared-for lacquerware is quite resistant to cracking and fading, and pieces are often passed down and used across generations.
How to Care for Lacquerware
Caring for lacquerware is actually simple. There are three basic rules to follow:
1. Wash it right after use. Don’t let food or seasonings sit on the surface for long periods.
2. Wash with lukewarm water and a soft sponge. Wipe gently rather than scrubbing.
3. Dry it immediately with a soft cloth after washing. Letting it air-dry on its own can lead to water spots or a dull finish.
A few other things to keep in mind:
• Don’t leave it soaking. Letting lacquerware sit in a basin or sink full of water lets the wooden base underneath absorb moisture, which can weaken it over time.
• Keep it away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes. Urushi is sensitive to UV light and dryness, so avoid storing pieces where direct sun or an air conditioner’s airflow hits them.
• Skip metal scouring pads and abrasive cleaners. These leave fine scratches on the lacquer surface and dull its shine.
＞＞Learn about Wajima-nuri lacquerware.
Can Lacquerware Go in the Dishwasher?
In short, lacquerware should not go in the dishwasher or a dish dryer.
Dishwashers use high-temperature water and strong jets of water pressure, which can damage the lacquer coating or cause the wooden base to warp and crack from expansion. Dishes knocking against each other during the cycle can also leave fine scratches on the surface.
For the same reasons, using a dish dryer, microwave, or oven isn’t recommended either. It takes a little more effort, but hand-washing is the best way to keep lacquerware looking good for years.
＞＞The breakthrough lacquerware that actually is dishwasher-safe.
It Okay to Wash Lacquerware With Detergent?
Yes — using a neutral, pH-balanced dish soap is perfectly fine. A small amount of ordinary kitchen dish soap, applied with a soft sponge or cloth, is all you need.
That said, avoid the following:
• Bleach or strongly alkaline/acidic cleaners. These can damage the lacquer surface and cause discoloration.
• Cleansers or detergents with abrasive particles. These leave fine scratches and dull the finish.
• Melamine sponges or stiff scrub brushes. They may look gentle, but they’re too abrasive for a lacquer surface.
Using a harsh detergent or scrubber to “really get it clean” often does more harm than good — it’s one of the most common ways lacquerware ends up damaged.
Everyday Ways to Enjoy Lacquerware
Lacquerware is often thought of as something reserved for special occasions, but it’s actually the kind of piece that reveals its charm the more it’s used in everyday life.
• Use it for your daily rice bowl or soup bowl. Lacquerware retains heat well, and the bowl itself doesn’t get too hot to hold even with piping-hot soup inside.
• Bring it to non-Japanese meals, too. Serving curry, soup, or even pasta in a lacquer bowl or dish can give a meal an unexpectedly modern feel.
• Use it for coffee or tea. Many lacquerware makers now produce modern cups and mugs alongside traditional bowls.
• Give it as a gift. Lacquerware is a common gift for milestones — births, weddings, 60th birthdays (kanreki), and other long-life celebrations.
• Enjoy how it changes over time. As natural oils from your hands settle into the surface with regular use, the shine deepens. The more you use it, the more it becomes uniquely yours.
Rather than keeping it tucked away for special occasions, using lacquerware as part of daily life is exactly what lets it become more beautiful over time.
How to Choose the Real Thing
Among Japan’s many lacquerware-producing regions, Wajima-nuri — made in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture — is especially known for its exceptional durability and beauty.
The full production process involves more than 120 individual steps, each handled by a specialized craftsperson as part of a division of labor that has been refined over generations. This level of skill is why Wajima-nuri is officially designated as a Traditional Craft by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and also recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property at the national level.
Another major advantage of Wajima-nuri is that it can be repaired through re-lacquering. Even after years of use have worn down the shine or caused minor damage, a skilled craftsperson can restore a piece to something close to its original beauty. In practice, this means a single piece can be used — and repaired — across multiple generations, making it a genuine “lifetime piece” in every sense. If you’re looking for the real thing in lacquerware, Wajima-nuri is well worth considering.
＞＞Learn more about Wajima-nuri.
Try Authentic Wajima-nuri From a Long-Standing Workshop
Once you know the basics of lacquerware care, it’s worth seeing what real Wajima-nuri actually looks like.
Chubei Nakashima has been making Wajima-nuri lacquerware in Wajima, Ishikawa since its founding in 1872 (Meiji 5) — over 150 years of continuous craftsmanship now carried on by the fifth generation. It’s one of the few workshops that handles the entire process in-house, from shaping the wooden base to the final coats of lacquer.
Their collection includes distinctive series made with traditional techniques — including chinkin (gold-inlay engraving), urushi-e (lacquer painting), and the auspicious Fukusuke series — ranging from everyday tableware to pieces made for celebrations. They also offer repair and re-lacquering services, making them a good choice if you’re looking for lacquerware built to last a lifetime.