Urushi
Urushi is a sap collected from the Urushi tree and is said to have been used for more than 10,000 years.
In addition, lacquer is a natural material but has great functionality.
When lacquer is cured, it has a waterproof effect and a fungus control effect, and is less susceptible to the acids and alkalis that dissolve metals and glass.
Lacquer is a natural gift that has been used for a long time as an adhesive, antiseptic, waterproof, and paint.
Urushikaki
About 10 to 15 years after the urushi tree grows, lacquer sap can be collected. * The number of years seems to change depending on the region.
It is collected from the end of May to the beginning of November.
Since the quality of lacquer that can be harvested varies depending on the season, we will separate the lacquer after harvesting.
Most of the lacquer collected during the hot season around July and August is of high quality, so it is used as a topcoat lacquer for finishing.
The amount of lacquer collected from one tree is only about 200cc.
Raw lacquer
Raw lacquer is made by removing dust and impurities from the rough lacquer collected from the urushi tree.
It is used for the base, and good quality ones are used for finishing lacquer lacquer.
Lacquer is affected by temperature and humidity and hardens.
In Japan, the lacquer hardens faster during the hot and humid rainy season, and slower during the cold and dry winter season.
Raw lacquer is a whitish color at first, but it changes to a blackish color over time when it comes in contact with the air.
Refined lacquer
Raw lacquer is slowly applied to Nayashi (to make the ingredients of lacquer uniform) and Kurome (heat of about 40 degrees).
By evaporating the water), it will be changed to lacquer used as paint.
The refined lacquer becomes a transparent brown color, and pigments are added to make it colored lacquer, or oil is added.
It is used as a freshly-painted lacquer or a lacquer for Roiro that does not add oil.
Black lacquer is made by refining raw lacquer with iron powder and iron hydroxide. The components contained in the lacquer react with iron ions to turn black. This is the so-called jet black, which is a deep black color.
