Makie is one of the representative decorative techniques in lacquerware craftsmanship. It is a traditional Japanese lacquer technique where patterns are drawn with lacquer, and before it dries, gold or silver powder (metallic powder) is “sprinkled” onto the surface to fix it, creating a brilliant decoration. It is called “makie” because it involves sprinkling powder to create designs, and its characteristic feature is the beautiful finish where gold and silver appear to float on the jet-black lacquered surface.
Raden (螺鈿) is a traditional Japanese lacquer craft technique where thin layers of the nacreous layer found inside shells such as abalone, night pearl shell, and white butterfly shell are processed. These layers are then inlaid or applied onto the surface of lacquerware to create patterns with a gem-like luster and color. Introduced from China during the Nara period, it developed uniquely in Japan from the Heian period onward. Combined with maki-e, it enabled more complex expressions.
Nakatsugi is a type of usucha-ki (thin tea bowl) used in the tea ceremony. It is a cylindrical vessel with the joint between the lid and body located near the center of the body. While the natsume (tea caddy) has a rounded shape resembling a jujube fruit, the nakatsugi is more linear in form. It was named “nakatsugi” due to this shape.
