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GLOSSARY
Lacquer work
Wajima nuri is a typical example of Japanese craft-work. It is made in the district of Wajima, at the northern end of the Noto Peninsula facing the Japan Sea. Since ancient times, Iacquer has been used in Japan for the protection and decoration of wooden articles (also, at certain periods, on pottery, metal and leather), mainly articles receiving light use, such as domestic utensils, tables, boxes and hair ornaments.
Lacquer (urushi) is made from the sap of the lacquer tree. Among the methods of applying it are nuritate, which involves mixing the sap with oil and, in many cases, pigments such as vermilion and ink, and roire, in which the sap is applied in a crude state and the object is later polished with oil. In either case, the lacquered object is then "dried" in a damp atmosphere; ideally, lacquerwares should be stored in a humid atmosphere to prevent peeling and cracking. The moro sophisticated pieces of lacquerware are decorated with coloured designs (eurushi) in lacquer, or with applied designs (makie) using gold and silver dusts, gold leaf, mother-of-pearl,ivory, etc. Japan's National Treasures include many lacquered objects of great beauty and refinement.