YAMANAKA-SHIKKI (LACQUERWARE)

Explanatory Notes

Name of the work:
Pattern of Wave Crests

Ripples of water drops expand from the bottom to the top as time passes. The harmony of the zelkova grain and the composition of the decorative wood carving creates a dynamic effect.

YAMANAKA-SHIKKI (LACQUERWARE)
HISTORY & FEATURES

The origin of Yamanaka-shikki can be traced to the late 16th century. A woodturner who moved to Manago Village (present-day Yamanaka-onsen) brought woodturning techniques to the area. Some Manago villagers moved to Yamanaka to make their living by selling wooden products to hot-spring visitors. At first, these products were made of white wood with no lacquer. In the mid 18th century, famous master craftsmen were invited from all over Japan to introduce various techniques including sensujibiki (thousand-line engraving), shudamenuri (vermillion lacquer coated with transparent lacquer), and komanuri (concentric circles in different colors). With this shift from making mere souvenirs to creating artistic pieces, Yamanaka-shikki became an authentic local industry. Woodturning skill is the most distinctive feature of Yamanaka-shikki. Fuki-urushi, a lacquering technique that highlights the beauty of the wood grain, is also a feature of Yamanaka-shikki.