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How is lacquer sap collected from the Chinese lacquer tree?
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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.
To collect lacquer sap from the Chinese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), the tree is tapped once it reaches approximately 10 years of age. The collection process involves the following methods:1
- Lateral Incisions: Workers make lateral cuts into the bark of the tree, allowing the sap to run out. This is typically performed between June and September.1
- Branch Tapping: Branches with a diameter of at least 1 inch (about 3 cm) are also tapped after the bark has been removed.1
- Soaking Method: Smaller branches are cut off and soaked in water for 10 days to extract a specific quality of lacquer known as seshime.1
These harvesting processes eventually kill the tree. However, the practice is sustainable because five or six new shoots typically sprout from the roots, which become ready for lacquer production after about six years. Once collected, the sap is strained through hempen cloth to remove impurities, stirred in shallow tubs to ensure uniform liquidity, and heated to evaporate excess moisture before storage.1