It is with great regret that the traditional craft of Wajima lacquerware has been severely damaged by natural disasters. It is particularly serious that the craftsmen and factories in the Wajima area suffered a double blow from the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024 followed by torrential rains in September. Wajima-nuri is completed through a complex process that requires a lot of time and effort, and its production requires a high level of skill. However, many of the craftsmen are elderly, and the increasing number of those who are losing the desire to rebuild their factories and produce the lacquerware is a major challenge from the perspective of passing on the tradition.

Under these circumstances, the number of new Wajima-nuri being made is decreasing and becoming increasingly rare. In order to protect traditional crafts, there is an urgent need to train young craftsmen and support local communities, and it will be interesting to see how the environment surrounding Wajima-nuri will change in the future.