History of japanese lacquerware

Lacquer had been used from the Jomon period

Lacquer sap has been used from thousands of years ago.
In the current study, the early Jomon period has been confirmed that the lacquer had been utilized.
Lacquered clothes of 9000 years ago, working containers and comb of 7000 years ago have been discovered.
Excavation products over the Jomon period late, has been discovered in Japan.
Clay image, jewelry, bamboo bowl, bowl, etc. has been a large amount excavated.

Lacquer is now more important presence in the Yayoi era

In Yayoi era, basket, farming tools, fishing gear, ritual, lacquer had been used in such miscellaneous vessel and went to penetrate the living.
It become less able to paint the lacquer to earthenware, now refreshing bowl of the rotating body using woodworking potter's wheel is made.
When it come to the Asuka period through the tumulus era, artistic elements are taken into account the use of the sap, lacquer continued evolving as a craft.
This era is primarily the influence of China is large, temple architecture, buddhist statue, requires a large amount of lacquer, there were lacquer organizations.

Treasure of Shosoin

Nara period, important treasure which can be called source of Japan craft involved in the Todaiji Temple has been stored in the Shosoin.
Among them, it includes the trade goods with foreign countries, such as Egypt and Persia, continued to exert great influence on the shape and patterns and technologies of lacquer.
The Kingindensokaratachi, sword for the ritual has been collection in Shosoin. This is a complex craft, to fit the crystal into silver watermark bracket.
Sheath scraping the gold with a file, it solidifies the powder in lacquer, technique also say headwaters of Makie has been decorated.

Arts and crafts and life craft

Though lacquer painting has been done in the work to solidify the material in the lacquer, from around the Kamakura period, division of labor proceeded to foundation work and painting and decorating work.
Along with it, foundation of arts and crafts has been completed with increasing types of Makie powder and improvement of technology to adjust the color or thinness of the shell.
On the other hand, in the lives of the nobility, life craft of crockery began to spread with the development of the potter's wheel.
In addition, in the Negoro-ji temple of Kishu, monks have created such as painted bowl and four-legged tray to use in the temple.

lacquer craft in Edo era

There was no big war in the Edo era, arts and crafts of the charm is condensed, ork that shows clearly the Japanese original features have been created many.
Swords were created as a decorative focus of crafts with practicality.
In particular, devised elaborate lacquerware have been made in the sheath of the sword.
Occasionally, experimental decor went led to attractive technique leading to modern design.
Since the lacquer was possible it is sufficiently taken in almost Japan, production of lacquerware proceeded, features of each locality was begun.
Techniques fixed to the Edo period mainly has been left up to the present, such as Tsugaru-nuri, Aizu-nuri, Wajima-nuri.

After the Meiji Restoration, enhanced evaluation of overseas

By Meiji Restoration, when the abolition of the institutions is carried out, lacquer craftsmen were forced to change jobs.
However, government participated in the Expo held in Europe, and put a force on the export industry, has salvation craftsmen who lost their jobs in the Meiji Restoration.
Expectations for the chemical industry in the same period also increased, analysis of lacquer components and research such as color powder manufacturing method for color lacquer have evolved.

At present day

Early Showa from Taisho, to discover the people specific arts and crafts "folk art movement" has occurred.
Activities of finding beauty in daily necessities of lacquerware and pottery that unknown craftsman made, went spread.
After the world war II, life craft was being reviewed.
In particular by demand for gifts, lacquerware reblogged luxury commercialized.
And now, in Japan around the country, it has been discussed lacquer possibilities in such as scientific analysis of lacquer and pursuit of artistic value.