Professor Matsuda Gonroku's story.
In the history of lacquer, dry lacquer was introduced from China (wikipedia)
, but recent discoveries have led to the belief that Japan is the oldest and the birthplace of lacquer.
As for maki-e, p. 213 states that maki-e was invented in Japan, but this was found to be a mistake when looking at new finds in China. Unfortunately, there are no newly discovered Japanese objects to overturn this.
In archaeology, new discoveries can overturn conventional wisdom, and fabrications can also occur.
Nevertheless, it can be said that lacquer is an ancient Japanese culture. I would like to believe that if it becomes more integrated into our daily life today, it will remain loved.
Past articles
The history of kanshitu
2023-09-23T17:30
This coffin was excavated from the Han tomb of Ma Wangdui .(wikipedia)
Many burial accessories made from 夾紵胎 have been unearthed in Han dynasty (BC200) tomb burial groups. 夾紵胎 is a so-called kanshitu , made by pasting layers of linen and silk together to form a base.
The technique had been established in China during this period. During the same period, kanshitu products were also found at a site in Lelang on the Korean Peninsula. Although there are earthenware and wood-based lacquered products, no earlier kanshitu products have been excavated.
The oldest known kanshitu products of world from Hokkaido in 7000 BC. The oldest Chinese lacquer-products from 5000 BC, the oldest Korean lacquer-products from 3000 BC. The oldest Chinese and Korean kanshitu products from 200 BC. It is very significant that the kanshitu technique currently originated in Japan and was used for burials.
Vermilion lacquer bowl
2023-08-30T13:00
Vermilion lacquer bowl, Tokyo National Museum collection. 1391 The inside and outside colour is different.
The black outer part is an oil film that has adhered to the vermilion lacquering. Even if it is wiped off well with a soft cloth after use, the oil remains and after a long time it will appear black. Even if the finish is even, the dents in the annual rings and areas that are frequently touched will cause changes in the landscape. The mouth rim has been used so much that the vermilion lacquer has worn off and appears black. This is not dirt. It is not known what caused the crack in the centre. Looking at the whole piece, you get a sense of something like the character of the age it has undergone.
The inside appears to have been restored. If the type of lacquer sap and pigment is not the same as it was in the past, it will not blend in with the colour of the outside after continued use. Original species lacquer trees are suitable for restoring vessels. Restoration of vermilion lacquer is a difficult task and there is room for research.
illusion
2023-07-01T17:40
Joboji Oyama Area
The Tendaiji Temple, where Jakucho Setouchi served as chief priest, the Koasukadate site 、and Tsuchifumazu no Oka are located in the vicinity, where settlements, ritual sites and earthworks dating from the pioneer Jomon period still remain.
According to the Lausanne Charter, a charter for the protection of cultural heritage adopted by UNESCO in 1964, backfilling is encouraged as 'conservation of excavated sites'. The area circled in yellow on the map used to be the parking area of the Tendaiji temple, but now cedar saplings have been planted to restore it to its original state. I was told by the Education Committee officer at the time that the Koasukadate site, a complex of archaeological sites dating from the pioneer Jomon period, was also backfilled in a neat way under the parking lot. If the asphalt parking lot can be returned to its natural form, I believe that the site will meet the criteria for World Heritage status without any restoration, and it will be possible to add the site to the World Heritage List. Wikipedia
Vegetation
2023-06-06T17:40
There are White Birch trees. And Sasa kurilensis grows in tufts under mountain forests.
White Birch is a broad-leaved deciduous tree that grows in snowy areas.
Sasa kurilensis (Nemagaridake) is 1-3 m tall and is characterised by its roots, which are said to bend under the weight of snow in areas with heavy snowfall. It often forms large colonies that fill mountain slopes.
In Joboji, the criteria for selecting a site for planting Japanese lacquer trees is that it must be lower than where the White Birch trees grow in clusters. After the Japanese lacquer trees is planted, the undergrowth is cleared until the saplings are higher than the Sasa kurilensis, after which the Japanese lacquer trees grow without any further work.
It must be natural that Japanese lacquer trees have been found here and there in the north-east for a long time!
For everyday use
2023-04-30T17:40
The vermilion bowl is made from Wajima jinoko, which she bought when she came to the workshop.
The black bowl is made of 100% Joboji lacquer, which she bought at Takashimaya after it was published in the magazine dancyu.
Both are featured in the book.
They were photographed together with a sample that is now in our workshop.
If you have learnt how to handle lacquerware properly, such as with tea utensils, it is enough for everyday use, but the word 'ordinary' is very broad.
Last year, I produced lacquer bowls with handles for people who have rheumatism and find it difficult to hold bowls.
The arasowan is made using the same technique as the paper wasp.
We do not pay attention to the price and production time and aim to produce bowls of a quality that any person can use in their everyday life.
Lacquer seeds and Paper wasp
2023-03-25T15:00
The photograph shows hemp, lacquer seeds and an paper wasp together with my urn in my studio.
Lacquer and Paper wasps are each thought to have emerged more than 100 million years ago.
The angiosperms to which the lacquer tree belongs are protected from the outside environment by their seeds, allowing them to survive in harsh conditions such as dryness and low temperatures. Having flowers also plays a role in attracting insects and other animals, improving the pollination process and facilitating plant reproduction.
On the other hand, it has been found that the paper wasp built its nests from sap and plant fibres, which, when the sap is lacquer, is the origin of dry lacquer.
Through this information, we can learn about the relationships between organisms in nature, which gives us an insight into how organisms are used. It also provides a deeper understanding of the diversity of life and its adaptability to the environment during the process of evolution.
The Teachings of Buddha
2023-02-23T16:00
Before his death, the Buddha said, "Thou shalt not kill and thou shalt not be killed".Do not kill people and do not let them kill you. In other words, opposition to war is a natural part of Buddhism. (From the text)
It seems to me that Jakucho always said this particularly strongly.
In modern Japan, the term 'holy war' began to be used frequently from the Second Sino-Japanese War, and in Buddhist circles, many Buddhists affirmed war as holy war from the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism.
I feel that Jakucho chose Shakyamuni's words including such experiences.
Price
2023-01-17T16:00
Notice of Price Revision
Price revision notice.
Making vessels with dry lacquer using only domestic lacquer.
The price of Chinese lacquer is decreasing year by year.
Why domestically produced, why does it have to be lacquer?
When I eat by lacquer tableware, I feel the food tastes better.
It is really good.
