urushi-nuri
（漆塗り）

Urushi-nuri is one of the most important Japanese craftsman’s techniques. Urushi, the lacquer, is the name of the Asian lacquer tree where they take this sap from to paint bowls and the dishes. It has a unique luster with a beautiful coating from the artisans.

This exquisite lacquerware are made at home or in warehouse-like office by their hands who are working in the aprons stained coal black from the urushi sap. Its methods of painting and drying and the viscosity of the materials vary from region to region.

Surprisingly, urushi-nuri items last lifetime and beyond. They are so durable that Japanese families pass them down from generation to generation; which, however, makes it hard for craftsmen to keep the business, influenced by the less demand in the shrinking population in Japan.

Craftsmen have devoted their lives to making this lacquerware. Every moment counts for them. With one mistake, the bowl or the tray end up in the trash heap. You may not gain any chance to watch their work from a foot away in your life; however, you will see this detailed arduous work at point blank in urushi-nuri products.

Reference: ORIGAMI Magazine