The Essence and Evolution of Japanese Lacquerware

Japanese lacquerware, a craft steeped in antiquity, is often thought to have sprung from the ancient workshops of China, though its roots are a subject of delightful debate. This artisanal process extracts the sap of the lacquer tree, meticulously layering and polishing it to a finish that transcends time. It is an art that demands patience, for the craftsperson weaves magic slowly, but the final reveal is a marvel of resilience, weightlessness, and allure. Even now, the hallowed spaces of East Asian museums cradle these lacquered gems, their over two-millennia-old surfaces whispering stories of a bygone era.

In days past, lacquerware's lustrous charm graced tables and homes across East Asia, a testament to its treasured beauty. Yet, the march of millennia has seen it vanish from the daily tableau of life in China and South Korea. In Japan, however, lacquerware remains a poignant thread in the fabric of daily life—gracing dining tables, holding the scent of incense, and carrying the brushstrokes of calligraphy. Japan has not only inherited the lacquerware legacy of China but has also infused it with its unique spirit. From the 10th century to this day, Japanese lacquerware has blossomed into its own, a style that has even recaptured the hearts of its ancestral land, becoming a coveted staple in the halls of Chinese emperors. Techniques like "RADEN"「螺鈿」 and "MAKIE"「蒔絵」 are not mere methods; they are the soulful expressions of a culture's heart.

Today's Japanese lacquerware dances with vibrant and innovative artistry, cementing Japan's reputation as a bastion of the lacquerware tradition. It's an alchemy of the nation's delicate and refined character, merged with an essence of minimalist grace. The classic dichotomy of red and black, accentuated by the luster of RADEN and the opulence of gold, crafts a visual symphony that is unmistakably Japanese. My personal odyssey through lacquerware has led me to amass an eclectic collection, from humble chopsticks and plates to ornate sushi trays, boxes, fans, pens, and floral vessels. In the contemporary realm, lacquerware continues to evolve, embracing bold forays like gold and pearl-adorned jewelry, where the interplay of hues speaks the language of the Orient with profound eloquence.

 

The Alchemy of Natural Lacquer in Traditional Japanese Craft

In the quiet groves of Asia grows a tree, the URUSHI (named ウルシ in Japanese), whose very essence is the lifeblood of an art form that has graced tables and palaces alike. The Asian lacquer tree, with its unassuming trunk, harbors a sap that is nothing short of liquid resilience. Harvested with care, this sap undergoes a transformation, as the lacquer phenols within it oxidize and solidify, bestowing upon every treated object a cloak of endurance. The result is lacquerware—a symphony of utility and art—renowned for its fortitude, imperviousness to water, resistance to corrosion, and a natural defiance against microbes and insects.

This venerable medium transcends mere function; it is a canvas upon which the story of civilizations is painted. You'll find lacquer gracing the surfaces of tableware and lunch containers, breathing life into buildings, adding solemnity to statues, and elevating works of art to the sublime. The URUSHI, exclusive to the landscapes of Asia, ensures that the tradition of lacquerware remains a cherished Asian heritage. Each tree offers but a modest bounty of this precious sap, rendering every lacquered piece a rare treasure.

For eons, East Asia has held lacquerware in high esteem, a luxury once reserved for the noble and the divine, with the earliest artifacts dating back to a time when history itself was young. Its allure once captivated European imagination, sparking a fervor for "japan," a term coined in admiration of this exquisite export. Devoid of their own lacquer trees, Europeans sought to replicate the lacquer effect, giving birth to the art of "japanning," their homage to an art form that held a mirror to the reverence commanded by porcelain, or "china."

Thus, through the lens of lacquer, we glimpse a saga of admiration and aspiration, a tale where the luster of Japanese lacquerware not only reflects a craft but also the cross-cultural currents that it set in motion.

 

Photography by BIWAKO Jewelry