Box with design in zonsei and mother-of-pearl inlay. “Change”
- Lacquerware
- Presented in 2022
- H 14.8 x W 20.1 x D 20.1 cm
- Sold Out
| Category | Lacquerware |
|---|---|
| Year Presented | 2022 |
| Dimensions | H 14.8 x W 20.1 x D 20.1 cm |
| Exhibition | The 69th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition |
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Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden)
Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden) is a decorative technique that uses the iridescent inner layer of abalone shell, turban shell, pearl oyster shell, or other mollusk shells. The technique came to Japan from China 1,300 years ago, and pieces featuring mother-of-pearl inlay are included among the artifacts at the Shōsōin Repository in Nara.
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Zonsei
In zonsei lacquerwork, the outlines of colored motifs are engraved to produce additional decorative effects. Typically, one of two techniques is used. In the first, the artisan applies the motifs in colored lacquer before using a carving tool called a zonsei ken to incise the outlines of the design or add decorative line engravings. In the second, the artisan creates motifs using the kinma technique, which are then outlined or engraved in the same fashion. Zonsei, like carved lacquer (chōshitsu) and kinma, is a technique associated primarily with Takamatsu in Kagawa prefecture.
Kayo Takahashi
Making pieces using kinma and zonsei, which are techniques where layers of lacquer are applied, patterns are carved with a knife, filled with color lacquer, and finally polished. Mainly using plants for the designs, expressing them with delicate lines and color lacquer.