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What is urushi?

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Kenji Toki
Kenji Toki

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.

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URUSHI What is URUSHI? MIYAGI University Kenji TOKI Lab
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..
Can You Write? ÆáThis kanji(Chinese character) representing URUSHI is in daily-use kanji category in Japan, but NOT many people can write correctly, right?
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.
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
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 sul?de and cinnabar raw materials comes to be used. The cinnabar is expressed with µ¤É° or µ¤Öì" in kanji (Chinese character). Today, there are many places having same kanji "µ¤ in Japan and this is said to be the local trace where red color was produced.
Deepness Of Black URUSHI naturally changes color in blackish brown in a sti?ening process. The jet-black is obtained as the reaction proceeds when the soots such as iron ?lings 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 di?cult.
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.
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.
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 ?oors 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.
Very Durable Dry Lacquer KANSHITSU, or the dry lacquer technique, is a molding technique where hemp cloth is molded into shape and ?xed 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
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.
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 ?lled 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 ?lled with new possibilities.
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 ?fth 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 di?cult.
You Explore The possibility of new URUSHI might come into view if you realized URUSHI in di?erent 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? http://kenjitoki.tumblr.com/ photo (C) KAMIYAMA PHOTO STUDIO Special Thanks to; FabCafe Tokyo

More Related Content

What is urushi?

  • 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? ÆáThis 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 sul?de and cinnabar raw materials comes to be used. The cinnabar is expressed with µ¤É° or µ¤Öì" in kanji (Chinese character). Today, there are many places having same kanji "µ¤ 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 sti?ening process. The jet-black is obtained as the reaction proceeds when the soots such as iron ?lings 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 di?cult.
  • 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 ?oors 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 ?xed 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 ?lled 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 ?lled 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 ?fth 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 di?cult.
  • 15. You Explore The possibility of new URUSHI might come into view if you realized URUSHI in di?erent 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? http://kenjitoki.tumblr.com/ photo (C) KAMIYAMA PHOTO STUDIO Special Thanks to; FabCafe Tokyo