Japanese Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer Biography.

   Japanese lacquerware (historically referred to as Japan, analogous to Chinese ceramics) is a broad category of fine and decorative arts, as lacquer has been used in paintings, prints, and on a wide variety of objects from Buddha statues to bento boxes for food.
Ewer in "Negoro Ware" from Japan. The red lacquer wears away gradually and irregularly with use, producing the effect of natural aging for which these pieces are highly appreciated. This example is held at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

A number of terms are used in Japanese to refer to lacquerware. Shikki (漆器) means "lacquer ware" in the most literal sense, while nurimono (塗物) means "coated things", and urushi-nuri (漆塗) means "lacquer coating."

The sap of the lacquer tree, today bearing the technical description of "urushiol-based lacquer," has traditionally been used in Japan. As the substance is poisonous to the touch until it dries, the creation of lacquerware has long been practiced only by skilled dedicated artisans.

Japanese Lacquer

 Japanese Lacquer

  Japanese Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer

 Japanese Lacquer

 Japanese Lacquer

 Japanese Lacquer

 Japanese Lacquer

 

Japanese Lacquer

Bone, Flesh, Skin: The Making of Japanese Lacquer

Japanese Lacquer

Bone, Flesh, Skin: The Making of Japanese Lacquer 02