seshime lacquer

Seshime lacquer is a crucial component in traditional Japanese lacquerware, primarily used as a base coat to fill wood pores and prepare the surface for subsequent decorative layers. This technique is part of a complex, multi-step process that can involve 20 to 30 or more applications of lacquer composition, interspersed with hardening and polishing stages.1

Japanese lacquerware, known as urushi, is derived from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum). The art form has a long history in Japan, with early examples dating back to the 7th century. Over centuries, various decorative techniques evolved, including the use of gold and silver dust (nashiji, fundame), relief decoration (taka-maki-e, hiramaki-e), and inlay of shell and metal (raden). These intricate processes, requiring significant time and skill, result in durable and highly prized decorative objects.23415