Changes

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).

The sap of the lac plant - i.e. lacquer itself - is poisonous to the touch, in a similar manner to the touch of poison ivy or poison oak, until the material cures and hardens. However, as is the case with poison ivy and its ilk, a percentage of people have a natural immunity to the effects, allowing them a particular advantage in becoming successful lacquerware artisans.

The sap of the lac plant - i.e. lacquer itself - is poisonous to the touch, in a similar manner to the touch of poison ivy or poison oak, until the material cures and hardens. However, as is the case with poison ivy and its ilk, a percentage of people have a natural immunity to the effects, allowing them a particular advantage in becoming successful lacquerware artisans. The fruit of the tree can be used to make wax, and was a prominent regional specialty export of some [[han|domains]] in the [[Edo period]].<ref>[[Mark Ravina]], ''Land and Lordship in Early Modern Japan'', Stanford University Press (1999), 80.</ref>

==Techniques==

==Techniques==