 Lacquerware
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Lacquer has been part of the Japanese culture longer than almost any
other art, except pottery making. Red and black were the first colors
used and have been found in Jomon ruins over 2,000 years old.
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In our area of Japan we can find lacquerware called Yakumo Nuri. It
is made to be used, and the simple designs and colors make it one of my
favorite types of lacquer art. The few colors used are black, red, yellow,
green and brown. The work of the artist in making the pictures is very
natural and lovely. True Yakumo Nuri is now becoming scarce. Gold and
silver powder in addition to other colors that are brighter, are being
used to be more commercial, but I like the old ways best. They show the
human artistic spirit, not the hand grasping for more profit at the expense
of losing a precious cultural asset.
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The art of lacquer work reached its peak in Japan and I think the tsuishu
(carved lacquer) is the most beautiful art to be found anywhere in the
world. Maki-e, the most popular type of lacquerware, originated in the
8th century in Japan, as did many other wonderful things. The use of aogai
to make the designs more artistic is also a beautiful and ancient art.
However, I prefer the old Yakumo Nuri and buy it whenever I can find it
in the antique shops. Wouldn't you like to find out more about your country's
artistic history? We should respect and learn about this fantastic and
lovely art.
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It was used on almost every material you can think of: leather, wood,
paper, cloth, metal and even pottery. It was an amazing and useful material
for the people of Japan since it not only protected whatever it was put
on, but it was also an excellent glue, even for broken pottery. Repairing
broken pottery with lacquer is an art still practiced in Japan by skilled
artisans. The next time you visit a museum of art, look for all the work
that is done with lacquer. You will be amazed!
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