- Originally, the term lacquer ware referred to wooden containers (hinoki cypress, zelkova, sawara cypress, horse chestnut, Magnolia hypoleuca, etc.) varnished with lacquer. More recently, however, plastics are often the chosen material. Lacquer ware not only features a liquid luster on the coasted surface, but is also highly durable and resistant against hot or cold water and chemicals. These qualities make it excellent for tableware. It takes many different shapes ? natural wood may be turned, hollowed, bent or planed, then covered with from a minimum of 3 or 4 to more than 30 coats of lacquer. The thicker the layer is, the more expensive it is.
- Lacquer ware is categorized by decoration technique:
- maki-e (sprinkles of gold or silver on a pattern drawn on the surface, complete with fine polishing);
- urushi-e (surface coated with colored lacquer);
- mitsuda-e (patterns drawn in oil mixed with pigment);
- gold and silver doro-e (patterns drawn directly on the surface in gold and silver mud mixed with water);
- raden (shells either inlaid or lined);
- hyomon (silver and gold leaf); and
- chinkin (patterns carved into the surface with a sword and inlaid with silver and gold leaf).
- The oldest known use of lacquer in Japan dates back to the Jomon period (ca 10,000 BC-ca 300 BC). Artifacts include vermilion-lacquered bowls, small one-legged tables and other containers, as well as lacquered arrows. The technique seems to have advanced when it was exposed to Chinese influence. In particular, the greatest progress occurred during the Nara period (710-794), when lacquering technique was communicated from the Tang Dynasty.
- Some of the noted producers of lacquer ware in Japan include Wajima and Yamanaka (Ishikawa Prefecture), Aizu (Fukushima Prefecture), Tsugaru (Aomori Prefecture) and Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture).
- A variety of techniques are employed to manufacture synthetic lacquer: varnishing plastics with natural lacquer; coating natural wood with urethane and other synthetic resins or cashew resin paint; or laying a base coat with these chemical paints and finishing the surface with natural lacquer. Since they are indistinguishable from authentic lacquer ware, the Household Goods Quality Labelling Law requires that both authentic and synthetic types intended as tableware or kitchenware indicate the product name, type of surface coating and notes on use. Use of the label "lacquer ware" is only permitted for those using natural lacquer. Variations of the surface coating include "lacquer," "cashew," "melamine alkyd," "urea alkyd," and "urethane." If more than one finish has been used on a piece, it should be noted, with the parts and their finishes indicated. The type of base coat may or may not be noted. Materials are either "natural wood" or synthetic resin materials. This information must all be included on a tag or carved seal.
- In the past, lacquer ware demand centered on gifts in a volume price zone ranging from \3,000 to \5,000. Lacquer ware used to be a popular gift item for social obligations and weddings, but, as the range of gifts has expanded to give those who receive them greater freedom of choice, lacquer ware does not enjoy the popularity it once had as a gift item. Many producers complain that their shipments have declined by half from their peak. This compels them to shift to home-use and personal gift items, but, to make matters worse, inexpensive imports are hindering them from entering those markets.
- Once a leading export item bringing in a large amount of foreign currency, the total exports of Japanese lacquer ware in 1999 amounted to a meager \93.57 million. Major destinations included:
| U.S.A. |
\24.14 million ( 25.8%) |
South Korea
|
\14.39 million ( 15.4%) |
| Taiwan |
\11.68 million ( 12.5%) |
| Australia |
\ 6.65 million ( 7.1%) |
| Singapore |
\ 6.30 million ( 6.7%) |
| Hong Kong |
\ 6.16 million ( 6.6%) |
| Others |
\24.25 million ( 25.9%) |
| Total |
\93.57 million (100.0%)
|
(Source: Japan Trade Monthly)
- As mentioned earlier, the inflow of inexpensive imports is giving Japanese producers a hard time. However, it is not known how much lacquer ware is imported from which countries and territories, since different methods are employed to keep statistics for exports and imports. Imports of lacquer ware are not distinguished from "other ware" in the "wooden tableware and kitchenware" category, but it seems lacquered bowls, tables, baskets, small articles and drawers are imported from China, Vietnam and South Korea. You can find plenty of them at the \100 shops in Japan. Though lacquering technique is improving in the imports, many still suffer cracks and chips during transport. The imports chiefly affect Japanese producers, but wholesalers are relatively unaffected, since they also deal in the imports.
- All the producers are desperately trying to survive by creating added value or exploiting the eco-friendly movement, in the hope of returning to former shipment levels. One example of ecology consciousness is the use of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin for soup bowls. Though PET-resin lacquer ware is 20-30% more expensive than others, they hope the product's superior performance - enameled patterns do not peel easily, ensuring a longer life - will offset the high prices. Some manufacturers have developed chopsticks coated with ceramic lacquer. These are pollution-free, since they don't produce dioxin when incinerated. Others are developing "one hundred percent eco-friendly products": injection-molded recycled paper coated with ceramic paint. Currently, bamboo is used instead of recycled paper. Still others have announced that they've developed chopsticks made of polycarbonate resin. Using plastics instead of carved wood and bamboo stabilizes the shape, making them dishwasher-safe and opening the possibility of new products combining different materials. Yet still others use MFD (medium fiberboard), recycled from waste materials, for trays. While "eco-friendliness" has become a buzzword in the industry, an increasing number of manufacturers are developing products that emphasize the natural feel that comes with natural materials and hand crafting. More manufacturers are expected to shift their focus to home-use lacquer ware geared to the over 40 age group. This particular consumer group stands out because, while they hate using cheap lacquer ware, at the same time they can't afford to pay high prices and want to see products in a middle range.
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