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How did Japanese lacquer making reach Japan from China and Korea?

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Qianlong imperial throne — lacquerwork Imperial Chinese throne of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1735–96), red lacquer carved in dragons and floral scrolls, Qing dynasty; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The manufacture of lacquer was introduced to Japan from China by way of Korea during the middle of the 6th century CE, coinciding with the arrival of Buddhism in the country. Tradition holds that the Chinese lacquer tree—the source of the sap used to create lacquer—was introduced to Japan at this same time.1

While the earliest accepted reference to lacquer production in Japan is found in the Taihō code of 701, early Japanese pieces, such as the 7th-century Tamamushi Shrine at Hōryū-ji, clearly reflect strong Korean influence. Over the following centuries, Japanese artisans moved beyond these imported methods to develop a distinct national style, eventually organizing the industry and establishing unique techniques that would define the art form in Japan.1