Changes

[[Lacquer]] techniques were introduced to [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]] from [[Ming Dynasty|China]] in the late 14th century; Ryukyuan lacquer styles continued to draw heavily on these techniques down through the centuries, until the 19th century.

[[Lacquer]] techniques were introduced to [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]] from [[Ming Dynasty|China]] in the late 14th century; Ryukyuan lacquer styles continued to draw heavily on these techniques down through the centuries, until the 19th century.

These included ''[[raden]]'' (mother-of-pearl inlay), an engraved gold technique (''chinkin'')<!--沈金-->, gold leaf (''hakue''<!--箔-->), painting in gold (''kindeie'')<!--金泥絵-->, colored lacquers (''iro-urushie''), and lead-based pigments (''mitsudae''<!--密陀絵-->). Chinese techniques of lacquer carving never took off in Ryûkyû, but instead, techniques of building up designs in relief using a lacquer putty, called ''[[tsuikin]]''<!--堆錦-->, became a distinctive element of Ryukuyan lacquerwares. Ryûkyû lacquer also often made use of basketry skeletons for boxes and other objects.

These included ''[[raden]]'' (mother-of-pearl inlay), an engraved gold technique (''chinkin'')<!--沈金-->, gold leaf (''hakue''<!--箔絵-->), painting in gold (''kindeie'')<!--金泥絵-->, colored lacquers (''iro-urushie''), and lead-based pigments (''mitsudae''<!--密陀絵-->). ''Raden'' was first introduced to Ryûkyû in [[1690]], by [[Omitake Hyobu|Ômitake Hyôbu]]<!--大見武憑武-->, who had studied such techniques in China.

 

''Hakue'' involved simply placing pieces of gold leaf atop lacquered surface, while ''chinkin'' techniques (lit. "submerged/sunken gold") involved carving into the lacquered surface, and then filling in the space with gold leaf or gold powder. Chinese techniques of lacquer carving never took off in Ryûkyû, but instead, techniques of building up designs in relief using a lacquer putty, called ''[[tsuikin]]''<!--堆錦-->, became a distinctive element of Ryukuyan lacquerwares. Ryûkyû lacquer also often made use of basketry skeletons for boxes and other objects.

Lacquerware objects, especially with mother-of-pearl inlay, were common [[tribute]] or gift items sent to both China and Japan; an entire office, the ''[[kaizuri bugyo|kaizuri bugyô]]'' ("Mother-of-Pearl Magistrate") was dedicated to overseeing the production of these and other objects.

Lacquerware objects, especially with mother-of-pearl inlay, were common [[tribute]] or gift items sent to both China and Japan; an entire office, the ''[[kaizuri bugyo|kaizuri bugyô]]'' ("Mother-of-Pearl Magistrate") was dedicated to overseeing the production of these and other objects.

==References==

==References==

*Failla, Donatella. "[http://venus.unive.it/okinawa/en/sunti/failla.html Ryukyu lacquerware in the Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, Genoa]." Abstract for presentation at 5th International Conference on Okinawan Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 14-16 September 2006.

*Failla, Donatella. "[http://venus.unive.it/okinawa/en/sunti/failla.html Ryukyu lacquerware in the Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, Genoa]." Abstract for presentation at 5th International Conference on Okinawan Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 14-16 September 2006.

[[Category:Art and Architecture]]

[[Category:Art and Architecture]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]