Collaboration between iOLED film light source thinner than paper(iOLED film light source)and WAJIMA lacquerware

Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City, President: Yujiro Goto, hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”) has developed a unique and luminous WAJIMA lacquerware “Yo-Kou” in collaboration with WAJIMA KIRIMOTO (Headquarters: Wajima-shi, Ishikawa, Representative: Taiichi Kirimoto), which combines Nippon Shokubai’s advanced technology, “iOLED film light source thinner than paper (iOLED film light source) with traditional Japanese craft technology, “Raden*1”.

*1. The pearlescent light-emitting portion inside the shell of the blue mussel is cut into various thin shapes, and it is embedded in the surface of lacquerware for the decoration.

The iOLED film light source overcomes the fundamental issue of iOLED, the deterioration of the device due to oxygen and moisture in the air, applying materials and device technology (iOLED technology) co-developed by Nippon Shokubai and NHK. It is 0.07 mm thick, which is thinner than paper, and enables high flexibility.

In June 2007, Nippon Shokubai and WAJIMA KIRIMOTO started a collaboration between iOLED and Wajima lacquerware with art director Tatsuro Shio, and this time the combination of iOLED and WAJIMA lacquerware luminous vessel “Yo-kou”was created. “Yo-Kou” was completed by attaching a thin piece of shell and an iOLED film light source to the vessel with thin surface, and applying a layer of lacquer on the surface. One of the major characteristics of WAJIMA lacquerware is to create a strong and beautiful coating film by repeatedly applying lacquer thinly, and the shell flakes handled by Raden should be as thin as possible. The iOLED film light source is 0.07 mm thick, which is thinner than paper, achieving integration with shell flakes.

The 8th generation Kouhei Kirimoto stated as follows:
“WAJIMA KIRIMOTO has collaborated with long-established Japanese confectionery makers and well-known European fashion brands, with the hope that as many people as possible to experience WAJIMA lacquerware in daily life. However, the collaboration with iOLED, a light source developed by Nippon Shokubai, was an unprecedented challenge of fusing traditional crafts with the latest technology. Thanks to the thinness of iOLED, it became possible to integrate it with a thin shell, and to invent the new Raden that emits light while keeping a traditional technique. When I saw the completed vessel, I felt like I was seeing the moon on my palm. I was impressed with the pursuit of exquisite balance expression that is both being a tool and an art at the same time. The fusion of traditional and advanced technology has given me a hint of new richness.”

The co-produced “Yo-Kou” will be exhibited at our booth at New Functional Materials Exhibition 2020, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on January 29 (Wed), 30 (Thu) and 31 (Fri).

About WAJIMA KIRIMOTO
Place: 32 Naritsubo, Sugihiramachi, Wajima-shi,Ishikawa, 928-0011, Japan
Director: Taiichi Kirimoto
Business summary: 
Kirimoto Family has dedicated to wood and urushi lacquerware product development for more than 200 years in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture.
From the late 18th to early 20th century, our company manufactured and sold Wajima lacquerware and from the 1920’s, the company changed its name to “Kiirmoto Wooden Craft Workshop” and shifted its business specializing in carving the core wooden fittings. In 2015, the trade name was changed to “Wajima Kirimoto”, and the talented craftspeople of the company produce wooden and lacquer vessels, furniture, and interior elements, exploring the possibilities of wood and Urushi lacquer as a part of modern lifestyles.


About NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co., Ltd.: Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission “Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology.” http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

【Contacts】 Investor & Public Relations Dept.
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
TEL: +81-3-3506-7605
E-mail: shokubai@n.shokubai.co.jp

Fig1:”Yo-kou”Production scenery 
Fig3:iOLED film light source
Fig2:Luminous”Yo-Kou”

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