Naruko lacquerware is said to have begun approximately 400 years ago during the Kan'ei era (1624-1643), when the lord of Iwadeyama Domain sent lacquer artists to Kyoto to train and promote local lacquerware production. Local records such as the Naruko Village Topography of 1773 indicate that the region’s main products were chopsticks, toothpicks, and other lacquerware, and the Urushida Takaki records of 1805 refer to lacquer being harvested.

Naruko lacquerware is characterized by its technique of painting turned wood. The lacquering techniques include kijiro-nuri and fuki-urushi finishes that make use of the wood grain, as well as the unique suminagashi technique of ryumon-nuri. As a result, Naruko lacquerware products are popular not only for their ease of use and durability but also for their beauty.