Urushitoho Araki, located on Ipponsugi Street in Nanao City's shopping district, had been selling Wajima lacquerware and other traditional crafts for nearly 200 years, or eight generations.
The store was severely damaged by the earthquake and about 90 percent of the thousands of items on display were broken. On April 10, It reopened in a location about 100 meters from its former site.
Before the store opened, owner Araki Junichi and his employees set out about 1,000 items, including Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware and Kutani-yaki ceramicware that had been in storage and had escaped damage.
Araki went to Wajima City last month to purchase Wajima-nuri sake cups that had escaped damage from artisans who create these traditional items.
"I feel that the products have withstood the disaster very well," said Araki. "Wajima-nuri lacquerware is made with passion by those who craft it, and I believe that reopening is a good way to support their work. I know it will be a long road ahead, but I hope we can restore Ipponsugi Street to what it was."
