Japan lacquer ware has a worldwide appeal. Why not go directly to the source?
The word japanning was coined by the first European and American settlers and traders in Japan. It was an attempt to imitate the glossy finish of wood boxes, trays and vessels made from indigenous lacquer trees.
Lacquer in its natural form actually comes from the sap produced by the Rhus Verniciflua tree found mainly in Japan, and its applications date back more than 1500 years. Objects with lacquer finish are renowned for their beauty, durability and simplicity of brush design.
Unfortunately, for the copycat foreigner artisans, there ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby. This is especially so for wood objects adorned with yuzen (seven-color paper illustrations) brush paintings on special paper inspired by beautifully-designed lacquer ware and maki-e (a gold lacquer used to finish objects with delicate small gold flecks.).
Fortunately for you, this is a sleeper market. While imitation japanning products are commonplace in western nations, the “Real McCoy” lacquer ware is much more precious and in demand. Antiques can command hefty prices on auction sites.
Consider a buying trip to Japan to the key regions which originated this art form: Aizu Ware, Fukishima Prefecture; Johana Ware from Toyama Prefecture; Negoro Ware of Izumi Province (which now comprises most of Osaka Prefecture minus the city itself); Ryukyuan Ware from the Ryukyu Islands (now Okinawa Prefecture); Tsugaru Ware from Aomori Prefecture; and Wakasa Ware from Fukui Prefecture.
Twitter
Facebook