Mori-e 盛絵
盛 raised, heaped · 絵 painting
Also known as raised enamel
Mori-e is a raised-painting technique used in both lacquerware and porcelain decoration. A thick paint or lacquer is carefully extruded through an icchin, a dispenser with a fine tip, to create intricate patterns that protrude slightly from the surface. The method is similar to slip trailing in pottery.
In lacquerware, a single misjudgment in drying time can cause the lacquer to wrinkle or sink, requiring the artisan to adjust drying time in response to changes in temperature and moisture. The resulting raised patterns add texture and depth to the decorated surface.
