Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. I would like to talk about anohter Japanese traditional art: 漆器 Shikki or Lacquerware.
Porcelain is often called “china” in English, being named after the country. Similarly, some lacquerware is called “japan” because Japan exported it to Europe from the 16th century on. A mixture of pigment and concentrated lacquer-tree sap is used to paint lacquerware. Lacquer has been used not only in Japan, but also in many parts of Southeast Asia, including China, for more than 2,000 years. One of the most well-known techneques for making lacquerware is called “蒔絵 makie” which uses silver and gold powder. It’s scattered on freshly-painted lacquer and when it’s dry, the surface is painted again with lacquer, dried and polished.

May 23rd News, from NILS Japanese language school.