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Lacquer is a natural plastic-like substance made from the sap of the lac tree; typically combined with red or black coloring, it is used for both decorative and practical purposes, covering objects in an attractive and waterproof coating.

Lacquer is a natural plastic-like substance made from the sap of the lac tree; typically combined with red or black coloring, it is used for both decorative and practical purposes, covering objects in an attractive and waterproof coating.

Scholars formerly believed that lacquer techniques were first introduced to Japan from China; however, examples of lacquer use in the Japanese archipelago have been discovered dating back roughly 6000 years, indicating that lacquer was being used in the islands as early as in the [[Jomon period|Jômon period]].

Scholars formerly believed that lacquer techniques were first introduced to Japan from China; however, examples of lacquer use in the Japanese archipelago have been discovered dating back roughly 6000 years, indicating that lacquer was being used in the islands as early as in the [[Jomon period|Jômon period]].<ref>Tatsuo Kobayashi, “Nurturing the Jomon,” in ''Jomon Reflections'' (Oxford: Oxbow, 2004), 89.</ref>

Lacquerwares (J: ''shikki'') are typically made with wooden or paper cores, which are then coated in many layers of lacquer, resulting in surprisingly lightweight objects. Other materials can be used as the core, however. The most typical forms for lacquerware are boxes, trays, and dishes, but lacquer has also been used as a sculptural material (chiefly in the [[Nara period]]; see [[dry lacquer sculpture]]), and as a material for painting with (also chiefly in the Nara period, though most famously used in this manner by [[Shibata Zeshin]] 1807-1891).

Lacquerwares (J: ''shikki'') are typically made with wooden or paper cores, which are then coated in many layers of lacquer, resulting in surprisingly lightweight objects. Other materials can be used as the core, however. The most typical forms for lacquerware are boxes, trays, and dishes, but lacquer has also been used as a sculptural material (chiefly in the [[Nara period]]; see [[dry lacquer sculpture]]), and as a material for painting with (also chiefly in the Nara period, though most famously used in this manner by [[Shibata Zeshin]] 1807-1891).

==References==

==References==

*Gallery labels at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

*Gallery labels at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

==See also==

==See also==