The Art of Japanese Lacquerware

Japanese lacquerware, also known as shikki, is a timeless craftsmanship that dates back over 9,000 years to the Jomon Period (14,000 and 300 BC). Esteemed for its exquisite beauty, glossy shine, and remarkable durability, it has been an integral part of Japanese culture and daily life. 

The meticulous process involves harvesting sap from urushi trees (lacquer trees), applying multiple layers of lacquer, and skillfully decorating the pieces with intricate designs. It takes decades of knowledge to master, with highly skilled artisans creating each piece individually. This celebrated craft encompasses a wide range of objects, from elegant tableware and utensils to ornate decorative items, each piece reflecting the deep appreciation for nature and aesthetics.

Lacquer, or urushi, is a natural resin extracted from the sap of urushi trees. These deciduous trees are found across East Asia, including Japan and China, and extend into Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Thailand. To harvest the sap, grooves are carved into the tree, which then secretes the resin. In its raw state, known as arami-urushi, the lacquer is beige. From a single tree, approximately 200 grams of lacquer can be collected. Given that it takes 10 to 20 years for a lacquer tree to mature, the resin is highly valuable.

To remove impurities, the arami-urushi is heated in a water bath, filtered through cotton, and then through cloth, resulting in ki-urushi. From there, the lacquer is further refined through nayashi (stirring to make the lacquer's components uniform) and kurome (mixing the raw lacquer while heating it and evaporating the water), producing a translucent, amber-colored lacquer.

When iron or iron hydroxide is added and refined, black lacquer is produced. It can also be mixed with pigments to create a variety of colors, including red, pink, green, and yellow.

The main component of urushi is called urushiol, and the higher the quality of the lacquer, the greater the content of urushiol. It hardens through a chemical reaction with oxygen from the moisture in the air; therefore, the viscosity and drying time vary with the weather. Consequently, it takes decades of experience for artisans to master the use of lacquer. Recently, urushi has gained popularity as a human- and environment-friendly natural lacquer. Unlike fossil fuel, it is sustainable when the tree's roots are preserved.

Japanese lacquerware is typically made of wooden or synthetic resin, and the shape of the vessels requires different methods of crafting. For example, wooden soup bowls are created by carving natural wood while turning it on a potter's wheel. These wooden bases are left to dry for months and, in some cases, for years. 

The lacquering process is a meticulous art, divided into undercoating and top coating. To apply the lacquer, a combination of wooden spatulas and wooden brushes with human hair thistles are used.

The undercoat, though not visible on the surface, is a crucial element that determines the quality of the lacquerware, including its strength. After the first coat has dried, a mixture of lacquer and fine clay is applied to fill in the natural grain of the wood, creating a smooth surface. Each piece then undergoes a series of repeated coats, drying, and polishing. 

The topcoat requires skilled techniques to achieve a uniform thickness and a specific environment with constant temperature and humidity (around 85%). Depending on the piece and technique, an item may have tens to hundreds of layers of lacquer, taking months or even years to complete. 

As each coat of lacquer dries, it is meticulously polished by hand using a pumice stone or a fine abrasive such as charcoal, ensuring a smooth finish. 

After the lacquerware has dried, it is then decorated using various modern and traditional techniques: 

Maki-e (蒔絵 - まきえ):  A thin maki-e brush is dipped in lacquer to draw the desired picture or design, and then gold or silver powder is gently sprinkled on top.

Chinkin (沈金 - ちんきん):  A pattern is carved into the surface with a chisel or other cutting tool. Lacquer is poured into the grooves, and gold leaf or gold powder is imprinted on top.

Raden (螺鈿 - らでん):  Also known as mother-of-pearl inlay, this delicate technique uses beautiful shells, such as turban or butterfly shells, to create a jewel-like finish. "Ra" refers to spiral-shaped shells, and "den" refers to decorations made from shells and metals.

Choshitsu (彫漆 - ちょうしつ):  Multiple layers of colored lacquer are applied to the wood, taking into account the overall design of the piece. The pattern is then carved out with a carving knife.

Hyomon (平文 - ひょうもん):  Thin sheets of gold or silver are cut into patterns and then pasted onto the piece. It is covered with a layer of lacquer, and the patterned areas are then polished.

Urushi-e (漆絵 - うるしえ):  Pictures and patterns are painted using colored lacquer.

Throughout Japan, there are various types of lacquerware, each with unique properties, designs, and decorations.

Yamanaka Lacquerware is produced in Yamanaka Onsen district of Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history dating back over 400 years. One distinct characteristic of Yamanaka Lacquerware is its deliberate display of the wood grains. The natural elegance of the wood is complemented by graceful specks of gold, silver, and other colored powders using the maki-e technique. 

Crafted in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, Wajima Nuri (Wajima Lacquerware) is known for the high-quality powder used for its production, jinoko (powdered diatomaceous soil), which is found only in that area. Jinoko is used in the undercoating to ensure exceptional durability. Furthermore, Wajima Nuri often employs maki-e decorating techniques, showcasing lavish gold and silver accents. 

Also known as Aziu Nuri, this lacquerware is crafted in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. The area is surrounded by abundant nature and is renowned for having the entire lacquerware production process—from making the lacquer to harvesting the wood— conducted locally. Decorations often combine maki-e and chinkin techniques, creating shallow grooves into the lacquer and giving the piece a softer look. Historically, black, vermillion, and green color schemes were commonly used, while modern pieces often feature opaque reddish-brown or yellowish-vermillion colors. Decorative motifs typically include pine, bamboo, plum, ceremonial arrow, and spinning wheel, all echoing core Japanese beliefs and culture. 

The traditional craft of Wakasa Nuri (Wakasa Lacquerware) originates in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, and dates back to the early Edo period (1603-1868). It is characterized by decorative pearls that magically glisten, evoking images of the ocean or a starry night sky. Wakasa lacquerware is popular for daily use due to its durability against heat and water. The area is famous for producing chopsticks, which account for over eighty percent of the lacquer chopsticks produced domestically. The whole lacquer process is also completed by a single artisan, giving each piece a unique individuality. 

Echizen lacquerware, which dates back over 1,500 years, is produced around Sabae in Fukui prefecture. It is known for its subdued beauty, exuding elegance, and class, making it a popular choice for special events such as weddings. 

The prized lacquerware is the result of a collective effort of highly skilled artisans who specialize in different steps of its production. Nowadays, specialized machinery has been developed to facilitate mass production. Today, Echizen lacquerware accounts for approximately 80% of the domestic food industry and business use.

In recent times, synthetic Japanese lacquerware has been introduced. Instead of natural lacquer, it is made from materials such as cashews, urethane, and polyester. These alternatives take less time to produce and offer a more affordable option.

These synthetic lacquerware pieces are not only a beautiful addition to your home but also a durable one. They are dishwasher safe and UV resistant, maintaining the lightweight feel and beauty of natural lacquerware. The only limitation is that they cannot be used in the oven or microwave. 

Today, we can enjoy the fruits of countless years of knowledge, passion, and hard work passed down through generations to create these beautiful pieces. 

You can view our entire lacquerware collection in our online shop . Each piece includes details about the type of lacquerware, whether it is dishwasher-safe, and additional product care instructions.