Lacquer and Its Characteristics
(Cup Stand from Edo Period (1615–1868))
Lacquer is a natural resin paint derived from the sap of the lacquer tree trunk, which is a deciduous broadleaf tree. This sap, primarily composed of urushiol, is known for its incredible adhesive properties. Once hardened, it becomes so strong that no solvent can dissolve it. It also offers excellent heat and acid resistance. Additionally, lacquer has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, along with insect-repelling effects. Some even say that Japanese lacquer is the most durable of all paint materials. Wood, which would otherwise rot, mold, or attract termites, can be made sturdy and long-lasting by applying lacquer.
Because of these qualities, lacquer has been used not only on tableware but also in wooden architecture, covering floors, pillars, ceilings, and even statues of Buddha. You can see the glossy lacquer finishes in many Japanese shrines and temples. Items coated in lacquer are said to last for decades, sometimes even up to 100 years, making lacquer a crucial part of Japanese culture.
Lacquer isn’t just used on wood; it’s also applied in the finishing stages of creating Nambu ironware teapots. After firing, the lacquer is baked onto the surface. Then, a process called "ohaguro" (おはぐろ, a blackening process) is used, where the lacquer's gloss is subtly hidden, giving the ironware a subdued and refined appearance.
Moreover, lacquer plays a role in the traditional Japanese art of "kintsugi," (金継ぎ, Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver powder) which has gained popularity overseas. Kintsugi is a method of repairing broken pottery using lacquer to bond the pieces together, and then gold powder is applied to the seams to hide the residue of lacquer.
The History of Lacquerware in Japan
Lacquerware is widely found in Japan but also across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
In Japan, the earliest evidence of lacquer use dates back about 12,600 years to the early Jomon period, where lacquered branches were discovered in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture (at Torihama Shell Mound). This makes it the oldest known lacquer in the world. A result from the DNA studies has shown that this Japanese lacquer is different from the type found in China, which dates back about 8,000 years.
In addition, lacquered ornaments from around 9,000 years ago were found as burial goods at the Kakinoshima site in Hokkaido. These are the oldest examples of lacquerware in the world. The variety of lacquered items from the Jomon period includes bowls, plates, pots, and even weapons like bows, as well as decorative items like combs and bracelets.
During the Asuka and Nara periods, the introduction of Buddhism led to the extensive use of lacquer in religious items and temples. This period also marked the beginning of lacquerware production in Japan. One of Japan’s national treasures, the “Tamamushinozushi”(玉虫厨子), housed in Nara’s Horyuji Temple, features wood coated with lacquer, and even paintings made with lacquer. During the Nara period, the technique of raden (螺鈿, mother-of-pearl inlay) was imported from China and was used to decorate items like musical instruments with amber and tortoiseshell.
From the Heian period onward, Japan developed its own unique techniques, such as maki-e (蒔絵, gold/silver lacquer). Maki-e and raden rapidly advanced the craftsmanship of lacquerware, setting the stage for the future of Japanese lacquerware design and production. The technique of combining maki-e with raden, known as "maki-e raden" (蒔絵螺鈿, combination of maki-e and raden)is believed to have emerged during the transition from the Heian to the Kamakura period in the 12th century. One famous example from the late Heian period is the Konjikido (Golden Hall) at Chusonji Temple, established by Fujiwara no Kiyohira, which is known as an artistic space covered entirely with maki-e and raden.
(Box of Three Trays with Decoration of Ferns)
In the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, lacquerware production became more widespread, with lacquer being used for everyday items among the nobility, as well as for samurai armor and swords. During this time, a unique technique called “negoro-nuri” (根來塗, lacquering technique that involves applying a base coat of black lacquer, followed by a top coat of red lacquer) was developed. Over time, with use, the red lacquer would wear away, revealing the black lacquer underneath in a striking pattern.
The Azuchi-Momoyama period saw the lacquerware industry boom due to trade with Europe. Many export items featuring raden and maki-e techniques, such as chests and coffee cups with a European style, were produced. Japanese lacquer artists also created large Western-style chests and church fixtures for European missionaries. These items became highly prized luxury goods in Europe, symbolizing status and wealth.
The Edo period was a time of cultural flourishing, and lacquerware was no exception. Wealthy merchants emerged across Japan, and lacquerware became a local specialty produced across the country. Notable examples include Wajima lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture, Aizu lacquerware from Fukushima Prefecture, and Tsugaru lacquerware from Aomori Prefecture. During this period, it became fashionable for men to carry “inrō” (small lacquered cases) as accessories, leading to the creation of countless inrō featuring various lacquer techniques. With Japan’s opening to international trade, Japanese lacquerware, known for its intricate and vibrant designs, gained popularity overseas.
(Inro Case Depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove)
Japanese Lacquerware in Medieval Europe
In medieval Europe, Japanese lacquerware was highly popular among the nobility. Among the most renowned collectors was Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France and wife of Louis XVI. Her lacquerware collection, considered one of the finest in Europe in terms of both quality and quantity, can still be seen today at the Louvre Museum, the Guimet Museum, and the Palace of Versailles. It is believed that her passion for lacquerware was influenced by her mother, Maria Theresa, who was known to have a "lacquer room" in her palace where she would admire these pieces daily. About half of Marie Antoinette's collection is thought to have been inherited from her mother. Together, the mother-and-daughter collection is referred to as the "Marie Antoinette Collection."
Drop-front secretary (Secrétaire en armoire)
The term "Japan" in English dictionaries includes the meaning "lacquerware." This usage arose because, during the medieval period, a significant amount of lacquerware was exported to Europe as art objects. Chinese porcelain and Japanese lacquerware were especially popular, with porcelain being called "China" and lacquerware "Japan."
Since lacquer was not available in Europe, a technique called "Japaning" was developed. This involved creating lacquer-like finishes using local materials such as tree sap and oils, or repurposing Japanese lacquerware to create new items. There were even schools dedicated to teaching these techniques. The origins of piano painting can be traced back to this "Japaning" method.
Because of this history, it is not uncommon to find old lacquerware pieces in European museums and antique shops.
Decorative Techniques Used in Lacquerware
Lacquerware features various decorative techniques, with some of the most famous being maki-e, raden, and chinkin (gold inlay). Here's a brief overview of each:
Maki-e (蒔絵, Gold/Silver Lacquer): This Japanese technique involves painting patterns on the surface of lacquerware using a brush dipped in lacquer. While the lacquer is still wet, gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto the design, and the lacquer's adhesive properties secure the powder in place. Since multiple layers of color are often applied to create detailed patterns, it can take over a month to complete a piece. Maki-e has a history of more than 1,200 years, originating in the Nara period.
(Tea container (Hōunsai-gonomi Sankei makie ōnatsume))
Raden (螺鈿, Mother-of-pearl Inlay): This technique involves cutting thin layers of mother-of-pearl, from great green turban, into specific patterns and inlaying them onto wood or lacquered surfaces. The result is a jewel-like brilliance that highlights the shell's natural iridescence.
(Japanese Lacquer Imperial Presentation Box)
Chinkin (沈金, gold-inlaid lacquerware): In this method, designs or patterns are carved into the lacquer surface using specialized chisels. Lacquer is then applied to the carved grooves, and gold leaf or powder is pressed into them. This technique requires a thick lacquer surface and is known for its delicate, detailed expressions.
Lacquerware Production Regions and Their Characteristics
For successful lacquerware production, several conditions are important: access to high-quality wood nearby, and high humidity (ideally around 80%). As a result, most lacquerware production areas in Japan are found in mountainous regions or basins with high humidity. Japan has over 30 lacquerware-producing regions, but the three most famous lacquerware are Yamanaka and Wajima lacquerware (Ishikawa Prefecture), Aizu lacquerware (Fukushima Prefecture), and Kishu lacquerware (Wakayama Prefecture).
Yamanaka Lacquerware
Produced in the Yamanaka Onsen area of Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Yamanaka lacquerware is also known as "Yamanaka-nuri" (山中塗, “nuri” means coating).
Its most notable feature is the "vertical woodcut" technique, where the wood is cut vertically and used directly in products. This method allows the wood to be thinned, reduces warping during drying, and makes them more resistant to cracking. Yamanaka lacquerware is prized for its natural wood grain patterns and textures.
Wajima Lacquerware
Made in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Wajima lacquerware is known for its durability and elegant decoration.
It is crafted using a special local diatomaceous earth called "ji no ko"(地の粉, powdered clay) as a base for lacquerware. The process involves more than 20 steps and a total of 75 to 124 meticulous handcrafting stages, resulting in exceptionally sturdy lacquerware.
The beautiful luster of Wajima lacquerware is achieved through a polishing technique called "roiro,"(呂色, the final step that involves polishing the surface to bring out a beautiful shine in Wajima Lacquerware) where the surface is polished with soft charcoal and roiro lacquer is applied repeatedly. The technique is adjusted based on the softness of the wood and the lacquer's dryness, making it a highly delicate process.
Strict standards ensure that only the highest-quality pieces are recognized as Wajima lacquerware.
Aizu Lacquerware
Aizu lacquerware originates from the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture.
Aizu lacquerware is crafted using wood mainly from horse chestnut trees, zelkova trees, and magnolia trees. The lacquer is applied generously using a technique called “Hana-nuri” (花塗,technique where a slightly thicker coat of lacquer mixed with oil is applied) to give a natural shine without the need for polishing, resulting in a warm finish.
Aizu lacquerware is also known for its Aizu painting, which features vibrant pictures that symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Various advanced techniques, such as "Tetsusabi-nuri," (鉄錆塗, painting technique with a mixture of lacquer and powdered rust) which gives a rustic cast metal appearance, and "Kinmushikui-nuri,"(金虫喰塗, painting technique which uses rice hulls to create patterns), are distinctive features of Aizu lacquerware.
Kishu Lacquerware
Kishu lacquerware are produced in the Kuroe district of Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture
Kishu lacquerware traces its origins to the Negoro Temple in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture. Initially created for everyday use at the temple, Negoro lacquerware was finished simply with a black lacquer undercoat and a topcoat of red lacquer. Over time, the red lacquer would wear away, revealing the black lacquer beneath and creating a distinctive red-and-black pattern.
Kishu lacquerware developed as a popular choice among commoners. To keep costs low, cheaper materials like persimmon juice or glue were used for the undercoats instead of lacquer.
There are many other lacquerware production regions in Japan, so I encourage you to explore the different lacquerwares.
