Page 311 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

LACQUER, ENAMELS, METAL,

WOOD, IVORY, &c.

O NE of the most characteristic, and probably the most

ancient and extensive, of the Art industries of Japan,
is that
thousand years the of Lacquer working. For more than a
sap drawn from
the Rhus vernicifera^
a
tree which is cultivated in nearly every part of the country,
has been in general use for purposes of utility or ornament.
The varnish made from it was used in the embellishment
of the tombs of the Mikados of ancient days, of the palaces
of the princes, their armour, and in the decoration of almost
every article of furniture and every object which entered
into the daily use of rich and poor alike.
As early as the fourth century a Government depart-
ment was established for the encouragement of the art,
which, however, does not appear to have made much
progress until the seventh century, when it was generally
applied to the purposes which have been named.
The leading kinds of lacquer are—the Hira-makiye, or
flat gold; the Togi-dashi, or black and gold; the Taki-
makiye, or raised gold the Nashiji, or lacquer sprinkled
;