OVERVIEW:

Over 9,000 years ago, Japanese craftsmen discovered that the poisonous sap of the lacquer tree, when cured in a damp atmosphere, not only became harmless but formed a durable protective coating which resisted water, salts and alcohol. This discovery was applied freely to an immense variety of household and ritual objects.

During the past millennium in particular the simple artisans’ techniques were developed into a highly sophisticated art form by skilled and inventive lacquerers. Their achievement are witnessed today by the many masterpieces in museums and private collections. Even in the 21st century, master artists keep alive the old traditions as they explore new territories of design and technique.

The basic material used is liquid raw lacquer gathered from urushi trees and filtered to remove impurities. To this is added a variety of materials and pigments during different stages of this extremely labour-intensive process. In addition, each layer of lacquer must be cured in the humid atmosphere of a special drying cabinet or it will never harden. This curing process takes from one to three days.

Lacquer pens with fine surface decoration were first introduced in Japan in the mid 1920s by the Namiki Manufacturing Company (now Pilot). The company offered an apprenticeship program for aspiring craftsmen some of whom produced very fine examples of makie (sprinkled powder) surface decoration, one of hundreds of techniques used in the craft of lacquer. A few of these pens are, technically speaking, perfect examples of this craft and as such are considered works of art and have commanded serious prices at auction.