About Negoro Lacquerware
Negoro-nuri is the common name for lacquerware painted with vermilion, which is painted with black lacquer on the inside and then painted with vermilion lacquer on top. Many items have a vermilion lacquer top coat (nuri-tate (nuri-ho/hana-nuri)). The name comes from the Negoro-ji Temple in Kishu (currently Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture), Mount Koya, Toyotomi Hideyoshi,
The charm of Negoro lacquer
The vermilion lacquer top coat rubs and wears away like jeans due to friction caused by hand, revealing the black lacquer underneath in places, creating a beautiful contrast between the vermilion and black. It became a favorite and highly prized item among connoisseurs and tea masters, and the name Negoro lacquer spread.
Nowadays, the vermilion is polished from the beginning to create this style and color tone.
Akebono Lacquer
It is the opposite of Negoro-nuri, with a vermilion undercoat and black on top, representing sunlight.
The History of Negoro Lacquer
Negoro-nuri is a traditional Japanese lacquering technique with a long history, mainly used in Japanese architecture and crafts. Below is some basic information about the history of Negoro-nuri: Originated from Negoro-ji Temple in Kii Province (Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture: Kishu lacquerware)
1. Origin:
- Negoro lacquerware began in the Nara period (8th century - from 784 to 710) and flourished especially during the Heian period (794 to 1185).
- It was initially used in imperial court and temple buildings, and then spread to ordinary homes and tea rooms.
2. Usage:
- Negoro lacquerware was primarily used to beautify and improve the durability of the wooden surfaces of buildings, furniture, crafts, etc.
- It is often seen in traditional Japanese architecture and crafts such as temples, tea ceremony utensils, folding screens, and sliding doors.
3. Development:
- During the Heian period, a variety of techniques and styles developed for Negoro lacquerware, with each region coming up with its own unique characteristics.
- During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), as the tea ceremony became popular, it was widely used for tea rooms and tea utensils.
4. Technology transfer:
- The techniques of Negoro lacquering have been passed down through the traditional apprenticeship system and within families. In particular, the skills and experience of the craftsman are important, and in many cases, experienced craftsmen teach the techniques and pass them on to the next generation.
5. Modern succession and development:
- Even today, Negoro lacquer is treasured as a traditional technique and is used in restoration projects of traditional architecture and crafts, while contemporary art and design are also incorporating Negoro lacquer techniques to find new forms of expression.