Japan · Lacquerware / Painting
蒔絵 (Maki-e)
Maki-e (蒔絵 — 'sprinkled picture') is Japan's supreme lacquer decoration technique — applying designs by painting with urushi on a lacquer surface and sprinkling gold or silver powder while the urushi is still wet, then sealing and polishing to reveal the metallic design. Three main maki-e techniques exist: togidashi-maki-e (研出蒔絵 — polished-out) where the entire surface is flooded with lacquer and polished flat to reveal the design; taka-maki-e (高蒔絵 — raised) where the design is built up in relief through successive urushi applications; and hira-maki-e (平蒔絵 — flat) where the sprinkled design remains at surface level with a light urushi seal. The painting step — drawing the design in urushi before sprinkling — requires both lacquer skill and painting ability, as urushi painting on lacquer looks dark brown and wet and the finished gold design must be visualized before any powder is applied.
Risk level: Endangered · Japan national Important Intangible Cultural Property (lacquerware and maki-e techniques)
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