A curated collection of refined Japanese tableware, where minimalist design and ancestral craftsmanship find perfect harmony.
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#000 BLACK KOGEI is a lifestyle brand that curates black-colored traditional crafts from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, expressing simple, sophisticated beauty. This project features a collection of lacquered coasters, plates, and cups that are perfect for everyday use and special occasions alike.
We’ve combined the 400-year-old traditional techniques of “Yamanaka Lacquerware” and “Nigyo Washi” (handmade Japanese paper) with modern lifestyle sensibilities. The minimalist design, free from elaborate patterns, enhances the colors of your food and harmonizes with any table setting.
After the project’s successful funding, shipping will begin in December 2025. These pieces make perfect gifts for loved ones or a special treat for yourself.
#000 = The Color Code for Black
The “#000” in #000 BLACK KOGEI represents the color code for black in the digital design world. This lifestyle brand was born from a curated collection of traditional Japanese crafts specifically focused on the color black.
The Ultimate in Simplicity and Sophistication
We offer artisanal pieces that are deliberately simple and refined, minimizing figurative patterns and designs. By reducing visual information, your attention naturally focuses on the inherent quality of materials, the beauty of form, and the master craftsmanship. This creates a sense of sophistication that leads to a deeper understanding of the essence of craftsmanship.
The Deep Beauty Hidden in Black
Black has infinite depth and possibility. The black of lacquerware develops more character with use, beautifully evolving over time. Our wish is to provide products that you can enjoy as they change and use for many years to come.
1. Washi Paper Coasters (Set of 5)
These are washable Japanese paper coasters made with “Nigyo Washi” (the only handmade paper from Wajima) coated with urushi lacquer. Abstract and simple hand-drawn patterns create a luxurious feel, and the lacquer coating allows them to be washable despite being made of paper.
Perfect for adding elegance to your dining table or living room, these coasters can also serve as mini plates for appetizers. The delicate texture of the washi paper and the luxury of lacquer complement each other beautifully, making them suitable for both special occasions and everyday use.
2. Yamanaka Lacquerware Plates (5.9″ & 8.3″)
These plates showcase the outstanding techniques of “Yamanaka Lacquerware,” a traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture. The wiped-lacquer wooden plates feature petal motifs inspired by flowers and plants, with an elegant form reminiscent of a single blossom.
The non-circular design creates a natural, organic atmosphere on your table. Each plate’s rim is hand-carved by artisans, making it easy to grip the frilled edge and hold it lightly.
These plates aren’t strictly black but feature a deep blue-green (sesame color) painted base with lacquer on top. As the lacquer ages, it becomes more transparent, allowing the underlying color to emerge more vividly over time. This color change isn’t deterioration but evolution—a transformation to enjoy as the plate’s character develops with use.
3. Yamanaka Lacquerware Cups (S, M, L)
These wiped-lacquer cups showcase the delicate techniques of “Yamanaka Lacquerware,” a traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture. Beneath the beautiful black lacquer coating, you can see subtle wood grain patterns that create a unique beauty.
Lightweight with a pleasantly smooth texture, and a thinly designed drinking edge that enhances the flavor of your beverages. These versatile cups can be used as sake cups or coffee cups, perfect for your morning coffee or evening drink, making any moment special.
All three cup sizes are designed for stacking storage, with the S and M sizes fitting perfectly inside the L size, providing practical storage solutions.
4. Wajima Lacquerware Kintsugi Bowl
Crafted in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, this traditional Wajima-nuri lacquerware bowl embodies the refined elegance of Japan’s celebrated black lacquer. Versatile in function, it can be used as a soup bowl, small soup bowl, or for simmered dishes.
Its design features a subtle kintsugi motif, meticulously hand-painted by skilled artisans using the traditional Kinsai technique. While inspired by the historic art of repairing broken pottery with gold, this piece is not actually damaged—the kintsugi lines are applied purely as a decorative expression.
The design was born in tribute to the resilience of the Noto region after the devastating 2024 Noto Earthquake, when many Wajima lacquerware pieces were repaired and resold to support recovery efforts. This continuation series symbolizes strength, renewal, and enduring beauty.
The triangular spatula featured in the image is a traditional tool used during the lacquering process, specifically in the base-coating stage. Each artisan carefully adjusts the size and angle of their spatulas to suit the shape and character of the vessel they are working on. As a result, they often have multiple spatulas, each uniquely tailored to achieve the ideal finish.
Made from natural wood and pure lacquer, the bowl offers a deep, lustrous black finish that will age gracefully with use. Perfect for everyday dining, special occasions, or as a meaningful gift, it invites you to experience the harmony of tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless Japanese aesthetics.
Washi Coasters
- Size: 3.9″ × 3.9″ (10cm × 10cm)
- Gift box size: 4.5″ × 4.5″ × 0.6″ (115mm × 115mm × 16mm)
- Package weight: 2.8 oz (80g) (coasters + box)
- Contents: Set of 5 coasters
- Materials: Nigyo Washi paper, urushi lacquer
Yamanaka Lacquerware Plates
- 8.3″ size:
- Dimensions: Ø8.3″ × H0.8″ (Ø210mm × H20mm)
- Weight: approx. 3.5 oz (100g)
- Gift box size: approx. 8.7″ × 8.7″ × 1.5″ (220mm × 220mm × 38mm)
- Package weight: approx. 10.6 oz (300g) (plate + box)
- 5.9″ size:
- Dimensions: Ø5.9″ × H0.8″ (Ø150mm × H20mm)
- Weight: approx. 1.8 oz (50g)
- Gift box size: approx. 6.3″ × 6.3″ × 1.3″ (160mm × 160mm × 32mm)
- Package weight: approx. 7 oz (200g) (plate + box)
- Materials: Natural wood (alder), urushi lacquer
Yamanaka Lacquerware Cups
- S size:
- Dimensions: Ø2.7″ × H2.8″ (Ø6.9cm × H7.0cm)
- Capacity: approx. 6 fl oz (180ml)
- M size:
- Dimensions: Ø3.0″ × H3.0″ (Ø7.5cm × H7.6cm)
- Capacity: approx. 6.8 fl oz (200ml)
- L size:
- Dimensions: Ø3.1″ × H3.2″ (Ø8.0cm × H8.1cm)
- Capacity: approx. 9.1 fl oz (270ml)
- All sizes:
- Gift box size: approx. 4.1″ × 4.1″ × 4.1″ (105mm × 105mm × 105mm)
- Package weight: 4.6 oz (130g)
- Materials: Natural wood, urushi lacquer
Wajima Lacquerware Kintsugi Bowl
- Material: Natural wood, natural lacquer
- Dimensions: Approx. 12 cm diameter × 6 cm height; weight 70 g
- Not suitable for microwave or dishwasher use
#000 BLACK KOGEI reimagines Ishikawa Prefecture’s traditional craft techniques for modern lifestyles. The brand was established by “Tsuda Mizuhiki Origata,” a century-old, pioneering shop in the art of mizuhiki (decorative paper cord) that developed sculptural tying techniques for crane and turtle designs that spread throughout Japan. They brought together traditional craft artists from across Ishikawa Prefecture for this project.
The artisans participating in this project have inherited centuries-old traditional techniques while striving to create products that fit seamlessly into contemporary life. Through the color black, they reinterpret the rich craft culture of Ishikawa Prefecture, including Yamanaka lacquerware, Wajima-nuri, and Kaga mizuhiki, creating new value.
We aim to provide beautiful products that can be used in everyday life, not just as “traditional crafts” but as a “craft lifestyle brand” that integrates into modern living.
About the Artisans:
- Washi Coasters: Atelier Yo-Ku / Yoichi and Kumiko Hatakenaka (artists pursuing new expressions with washi paper and lacquer in Wajima City, Ishikawa)
- Yamanaka Lacquerware Plates: YUIYU (a brand connecting Yamanaka traditional crafts with daily life), Aplus Co., Ltd.
- Yamanaka Lacquerware Cups: Asada Shikki Kogei Co., Ltd.
