Do you know Japanese lacquer called URUSHI? This slide tell you very basic information of it. More ever, you can feel great possibility of it in our daily/future life.

1. URUSHI
What is URUSHI?
MIYAGI University
Kenji TOKI Lab

2. What Is URUSHI?
Do you know Japanese lacquer called URUSHI? Japanese tradition, superior container,
splendid decoration…Even if there are various impressions, many people know the material.
However there are not so many people who usually use the lacquerware. In other words, we
might say that we do not know very much about it in our daily life. In addition, even if they
know the lacquer ware , there are many people knowing neither the fact that URUSHI is a
sap from the natural tree nor what URUSHI is.
If you asked Google..

3. Can You Write?
漆This kanji(Chinese character) representing URUSHI is in daily-use kanji category in
Japan, but NOT many people can write correctly, right?

4. URUSHI Is Sap
URUSHI is produced as a sap from the natural lacquer tree. The sap bleeds when the
tree is scratched. The sap hardens to restore a damaged part. The tree produces the sap
as if the blood of the person formed a scab to protect their body. This is exactly
URUSHI. URUSHI has antibacterial function to keep the wound area clean.
It is said that URUSHI was provided with the antimicrobial activity because URUSHI
is relatively a weak wood species. Looking at the behavior of such URUSHI, the ancient
people noticed the function, and might have begun to utilize URUSHI in daily life.

5. URUSHI Hardens
It is said that URUSHI as the product has been made more than 9,000years. The adornment
that hardened the string by using the character that URUSHI hardens was made. Moreover, it w
as painted on the surface of the unglazed pottery earthenware. The Buddha statue was made w
ith technique of the dry lacquer called KANSHITSU which hardened a hemp cloth with URUSHI
in TENPYO period (the 7th to 8th century) in Japan. Essentially it is very similar methodology
to FRP in the modern technique. Because it is hollow, light and easy for transportation,
the national treasure The Ashura statue of Kofukuji Temple has been existing more than 1,300
years through burnt down of the cathedral that happened one after another.
The Ashura statue of Kofuku-ji Temple http://www.kyuhaku.jp/exhibition/exhibition_s16.html

6. Red URUSHI
Red URUSHI found in ancient ruins has been colored with red pigments obtained by
burning the iron oxide known as rust at the low temperature(800-1,000 degrees). Red has been
common color for URUSHI since ancient times because such natural red pigment was easy
to be available. Later in the period, the cinnabar red that assumed mercury sulfide and
cinnabar raw materials comes to be used. The cinnabar is expressed with 丹砂 or 丹朱" in kanji
(Chinese character). Today, there are many places having same kanji "丹 in Japan and this is
said to be the local trace where red color was produced.

7. Deepness Of Black
URUSHI naturally changes color in blackish brown in a stiffening process. The jet-black is
obtained as the reaction proceeds when the soots such as iron filings or oil smoke are added. It
is said that this singular pitch-blackness captured the heart of the European artist in the Middle
Ages. The black became "Dark grey" while the color was vivid because the groundwork of the fr
esco painting of Europe was a white plaster, and the expression of a deep black was difficult.

8. What Is Its True Color?
Does URUSHI have only rouge et noir? This is very common question. Red and the black are the
most popular as URUSHI s color, but the very beginning lacquer as the sap is surely cloudy dark
brown. It becomes translucent candy color when impurities and constant water are removed from
there. This pure URUSHI mix with mineral-based pigments to make colors. Today there are three
primary colors and a white pigments so that theoretically URUSHI can express any colors by putting
black URUSHI together as if making any colors in paint.

9. Antibacterial Action
URUSHI has natural antibacterial action. However, this fact is not known very much. The priest
in Japan drinks the hot water with the tableware of URUSHI after the meal, then wipes tablew
are with dishcloth politely, and puts it into the cupboard. This manner shows capability of
URUSHI s antibacterial action. It is very important that tableware is covered with URUSHI
because tableware are always kept hygienic even though under the humid climate of
Japan. In addition, the surface is waterproof and has antiseptic action so that it is ideal use for
a water supply area of bathroom.

10. Safe for Children Too
Besides the coating method widely called NURI, there is a technique called FUKI-URUSHI, where
lacquer is rubbed into the wood surface to sink in. In this method, lacquer diluted with plant oil is
coated onto the wood using a brush, and then any excess lacquer is removed with a cloth. This
process is repeated several times. FUKI-URUSHI does not require any special equipment, and a
characteristic is that it allows the wood grain to show clearly. Some nurseries use FUKI-URUSHI
floors to keep their indoor environment hygienic. Coating toys and building blocks with lacquer
would also make it less worrisome for parents with small children who tend to put anything in their
mouths.

11. Very Durable Dry Lacquer
KANSHITSU, or the dry lacquer technique, is a molding technique where hemp cloth is molded
into shape and fixed with lacquer. While fabric-reinforced plastic (FRP) combines synthetic fabric
with synthetic resin to make it stronger, dry lacquer uses natural fabric and natural tree resin,
and it was established more than 1,000 years earlier. Experiments have proved that it is as
durable as wood, and it is a technique that may well be able to be revived in this modern age.
Digital technology has made it possible to design chairs made only of URUSHI and cloth that
are strong enough for people to sit in.
Kenji Toki x Mitsuhiro Kanada JSPS research 23611028

12. Pleasant To The Touch
The texture of lacquer may be its biggest charm. It is not simply slippery or sleek;
its feel is hard to express with words. It is comfortable to the touch, which makes it
perfect for something to hold in your hand, like a mobile phone. Plastic loses its
smooth texture with time, but lacquer's texture becomes increasingly pleasant,
which makes it even more precious.

13. URUSHI x Laser Cutter
!
There is a traditional technique called CHINKIN, or sunken gold, where decorative
patterns are carved onto the lacquer surface with a chisel and filled with beaten gold.
However, with a laser cutting machine, patterns can be engraved without a craftsman.
It is also easy to cut lacquer boards with laser cutters, which means digital designs can
be created with lacquer too. Some craftsmen have realized the potential of such digital
equipment. With innovative ideas, the future of lacquer is filled with new possibilities.

14. 0.1%
Actually in Peril
!
Despite such attractions of lacquer, nowadays, the lacquerware industry in Japan relies 99.9% on
imports, mainly from China, for the raw material. Even in China, lacquer production has declined with
economic development. Also, with the elevated labor cost, the price of Chinese lacquer has become
one fifth to one seventh of Japanese lacquer, instead of the previous one tenth.
On the other hand, domestic lacquer production has also been falling every year with the aging of
craftsmen and the lack of successors. When compared to its foreign counterparts, Japanese lacquer
has a exceptionally good sheen and strength when it hardens, and therefore has been used for many
architectural pieces across the ages. It is used for the restoration of national treasures and important
cultural properties. However, if domestic lacquer continues to decline in production and skyrocket in
prices, the preservation of cultural assets may become difficult.

15. You Explore
The possibility of new URUSHI might come into view if you realized URUSHI in
different way as the material in which not only understanding as the craft
material but also various functions can be provided and the technology
that handles it. Your idea might explore the future of URUSHI.
!
Well, for what do you use URUSHI?
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photo (C) KAMIYAMA PHOTO STUDIO
Special Thanks to; FabCafe Tokyo