Changes

==Materials & Forms==

==Materials & Forms==

As elsewhere in East Asia, Ryukyuan lacquerwares took many forms, but chiefly included a variety of types of trays, dishes, and boxes. Carrying cases called ''sagejû'' (提重), much like their Japanese cousins, carried a number of boxes, within which could be stored chopsticks, small dishes, and a variety of other objects required for a meal. Similarly, other forms of lacquerware cases were often carved precisely to the shape of the porcelain or ceramic dishes, or other objects, they were to contain.

As elsewhere in East Asia, Ryukyuan lacquerwares took many forms, but chiefly included a variety of types of trays, dishes, and boxes. Carrying cases called ''sagejû'' (提重) or ''jikirô'', much like their Japanese cousins, carried a number of boxes, within which could be stored chopsticks, small dishes, and a variety of other objects required for a meal. Similarly, other forms of lacquerware cases, such as the ''[[tundabon]]'', were often carved precisely to the shape of the porcelain or ceramic dishes, or other objects, they were to contain. ''Tundabon'', sometimes described as presentation trays, were large, round, legged trays containing a series of small plates, in which small dishes would be served. Simpler legged trays (which might also be described as low tables), known as ''shoku'', were also common. Hot tea was often carried in a lacquerware container known as a ''taakuu''. Hexagonal in shape and tapering towards the bottom, these carriers contained a tin bottle for holding the tea, surrounded by cotton padding to hold in the heat.<ref>"Cultural Treasures of the Ryukyu Kingdom: Ryukyuan Lacquerware," pamphlet, Urasoe Art Museum.</ref>

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.