Fascinating History of Lacquer:

Lacquer (URISHI) is a living substance - it is natural tree sap - carefully collected from Urushi trees (a type of Sumac, which is related to poison oak and ivy).  It has been used for over six thousand years in Japan to coat all types of things, from wood to baskets to leather to pottery. Lacquer-coated pots and wooden items have been found in Japanese Neolithic sites carbon dated to about 4500 B.C.  And lacquer coated objects that have been in ocean depths for 18 months, or more, have retained their integrity.  Far more protective and long lasting than Western lacquer (a petrochemical creation), natural Japanese lacquer has a complex organic structure which lasts and lasts, repelling liquids and heat.  Many complex and time consuming steps are taken to refine and prepare the lacquer, and even more intricate steps are taken to create/coat/decorate exquisite objects.  After WWII, there was a resurgence of amazing lacquer coated pieces (especially in Japan), and, if you search carefully, you can find superb and rare examples of this historic art.

The Winged Phoenix

Copyright 2005 2006 2007 The Winged Phoenix