Bibliography & References
Books
A place to share recommended books.
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Urushi Craftsman in Paris - SEIZO SOUGAWARA
Through this book, the life of Sugawara Seizo, the "father of Urushi art in Europe", which had been buried in history until now, is revealed for the first time.
Author: Mitsuyoshi Atsuta
ISBN: 978-4-560-09508-9
Language: Japanese -
Urushi no Waza
The most useful technique book currently in existence, including materials and techniques for Japanese Urushi lacquer art.
Author: Günther Heckmann
ISBN: 3-9805755-0-0
Language: English/German/Japanese -
Urushi Forms and Hope
The 2022 exhibition by the Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project and the culmination of its activities.
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Urushi Elegant Asia
The author's gentle and poetic travelogue traces the origins of Asian lacquer culture.
Author: Nagatoshi Onishi
World Urushi Culture Council
Language: Japanese -
The Story of Urushi
A humorous essay about Urushi work by Matsuda Gonroku, who was a living national treasure in Maki-e. Translated books have also been published in English.
Author: Gonroku Matsuda
ISBN: 4-00-335671-3
Language: Japanese -
Lacquering Technique
A how-to book that lets you follow and learn the process with lots of photos. Even if you can't read Japanese, careful photos will help you understand.
Author: Akiyoshi Totoki, Shigeki Kudo, Takaaki Nishikawa
ISBN: 978-4-416-71535-2
Language: Japanese -
Jyussei Practice Kawari-nuri
A how-to book that lets you follow and learn many different Kawari-nuri processes with lots of photos.
Author: Jussei
ISBN: 4-88536-551-1
Language: Japanese -
European Lacquer
A book covering lacquer art in Europe by the author, who is the former director of the Museum of Lacquer Art, Münster in Germany.
Author: Monika Kopplin
ISBN: 978-3-7774-8930-8
Language: English -
LA LAQUE - ART ET TECHNIQUES
A book covering all types of lacquers, around the world.
Author: Monika Kopplin
Isabelle Emmerique
Jean Piere Bousquet
Martine Rey
Thibault Mazire
Editions Vital
Language: French
Articles
A place to share interesting articles published on other websites.
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Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Program in Hanoi
Explore the Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project by Sakurako Matsushima, a lacquer artist and professor at Utsunomiya University. Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project -
Mejiro Urushi Studio
A studio headed by Murose Tomoya.
We published a Japanese‐English version of the “Essential Bilingual Glossary of Japanese Urushi (Lacquer) Materials and Techniques” in 2020, and a Japanese-Spanish version in 2022. In these glossaries, we selected and explained 105 essential terms for a deeper understanding of Japanese urushi art. They are available now online in PDF format.
Study sessions/training for urushi experts
We hold regular study sessions with urushi experts, sometimes bringing in outside lecturers such as artists, photographers and curators from other fields. In 2018 and 2019, we accepted trainees from the United Kingdom’s V&A Museum to share our knowledge and practice both restoration and production. The network of urushi technical experts is expanding, not just within Japan, but also throughout the world. urushigakusha.jp
Videos
A place to share interesting video's, films or documentaries published (or not) online.
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Urushi Kaki (Collecting Urushi sap)
Currently, more than 97% of the lacquer distributed in Japan is imported, and only 3% is domestically produced. Approximately 70% of this domestically produced lacquer is Joboji lacquer, which is produced mainly in the Ninohe area. Demand for domestically produced lacquer has decreased dramatically due to changes in the times and an increase in imported lacquer. However, its quality has been reevaluated as it has been used in the restoration of Japan's most representative national treasures, such as the Konjiki-do Hall of Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi, the Golden Pavilion of Rokuon-ji Temple in Kyoto, and the world heritage site Nisha-Ichi-ji Temple in Nikko. urushikaki-jyoboji