Ryukyu lacquer craft

Item Details

Tokyo, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1977, Hardcover

1st edition, FINE

Tokyo, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1977. Hardcover in solid slipcase. 12" x 8.75", 37 pages English Text and a list of the 458 items with brief descriptions, 319 pages Japanese text, 154 leaves of plates, incl. ca. 50 color plates with 1 - 3 objects each.

Solid, cloth covered binding, small gift label on front free endpaper (1989), appears unread, in overall FINE condition.

Ryukyu lacquerware is made in Okinawa; which was called "Ryukyu" in the past. Taking advantage of its location, people in Okinawa imported lacquer making techniques handed from China (which is closer than the main land of Japan) and improved to make their original lacquerware.

Ryukyu lacquerware is characterized by the vividness of its contrasting blacks and reds. Okinawa fortunately possesses the fine native woods ideal for lacquerware including deigo, suitable for serving trays and bowls because it rarely becomes deformed or cracked; sendan (chinaberry tree) with a beautiful grain; and banyan trees. Ryukyu lacquerware is produced using various sophisticated techniques. For example, in products known as chinpin, powdered gold is inlaid in lacquerware, creating beautiful patterns. Although cheap, mass-produced lacquerware is sold at reasonable prices at souvenir shops, artisans still employ the traditional technique of the Ryukyu Kingdom era, making each piece by hand.