This content was paid for by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts and produced in partnership with the Financial Times Commercial department. A rare opportunity to try an ancient Japanese craft. L’ÉCOLE, ...

The ancient craft of urushi, or Japanese lacquerware, is one of Asia’s oldest artistic traditions. Evidence for the use of lacquer – a tree sap used to coat and decorate objects like boxes, bowls and ...

When organic chemist Takayuki Honda visited Okinawa Island in southern Japan a few years ago, he purchased a small dish coated with the glossy vermilion lacquer that’s characteristic of the region.

Japanese artisans have used lacquer since the Jomon period, which spans approximately 15,000 to 2,300 years ago. At first, people relied on it mainly as an antiseptic or adhesive. Over time, however, ...

The title of the Smart Museum’s latest exhibit showcasing Japanese lacquer boxes is aptly called “Symbol and Substance.” The boxes in this sumptuous collection are varied and many in number (56 to be ...