Coffer with cherry blossom and red maple leaf design in Johana makie.

About the Artwork

The term “cloud brocade” is used to describe the pattern formed by stratified red leaves coupled with the cloud-like cherry blossoms. The shape of the box was fashioned after the twin decorative screens used in the Hikiyama Festival of Jōhana. From the lid of the box the cherry blossoms flow towards the red leaves on the sides of the box; this flow coincides with that of water, representing the ever-changing nature of the world.

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Description

• Category
  Lacquerware
• Materials
  Urushi lacquer, Cypress, Hemp cloth, Gold powder, Silver powder, Pigments
• Dimensions
  H 14.2 x W 26.1 x D 17.7 cm
• Year of creation
  2022
• Rarity
  Unique
• Paulownia Box
  Included
• Artist Signature
  Signed (name of artwork, paulownia box)

Techniques Used

Urushi-e

Urushi-e (“lacquer pictures”) is a decorative technique that consists of motifs painted in colored lacquer. Urushi-e is the oldest and most fundamental decorative lacquer technique.

Maki-e

Maki-e (literally “sprinkled pictures”) is a representative lacquerware technique that originated in Japan around 1,200 years ago. Maki-e is done by painting lacquer motifs on the surface of a piece using a fine brush and then sprinkling gold powder onto the lacquer before it hardens, producing luxurious decorations.

Lacquering

Lacquering (kyūshitsu) is the art of applying lacquer to a substrate using spatulas or brushes. The technique includes a range of processes, from reinforcing the substrate with cloth to building up the foundation and applying the middle- and top-coats. The final coat can be left as is (nuritate), polished with charcoal to a high-gloss finish (roiro shiage), or given one of several hundred alternative (kawarinuri) finishes. Lacquer application is known for both its technical difficulty and richly expressive qualities.

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Selected exhibitions

• The 69th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2022)
• Selected