This set of five bowls features a translucent vermilion color known as "arai-shu," adding a touch of elegance to your dining table. The bowls are made of thick, carved wood (kuri-mono, or hollowed-out wood) with a lacquer finish, which is difficult to fully capture in photos. The lacquer becomes more transparent with age, enhancing the flavor and durability of the bowls with use. They appear to be almost new, having been used very little. The box is marked "Saikado," which is a well-established confectionery shop. This is a mystery. The bowls are marked "Matto-machi" (formerly Matto City, now Hakusan City), suggesting they are Wajima-nuri lacquerware. The phone number "72" indicates they are quite old. However, the bowls were stored in a storehouse belonging to an old, established shop founded in the late Edo period, so the authenticity is likely, although it's impossible to confirm definitively now. Regardless, you rarely see such substantial lacquer bowls these days. Thank you. - Quantity: 5 bowls - Size: Approximately 6 sun (about 18 cm)