urushi 漆

Urushi is the refined sap of the lacquer tree (urushi tree), used in Japan since the Jomon period as a natural coating. Applied to wooden or other bases in thin layers and hardened (cured) in humid conditions, it forms a hard surface resistant to water, heat, and acids, and serves as the base for decorative techniques such as maki-e, raden, and chinkin.

Urushi is applied in multiple layers to wooden surfaces. In techniques like suri-urushi (wiped lacquer), the lacquer is rubbed into the wood to create a transparent, shiny coat that reveals the wood grain beneath. Over time, the balance between layered colors can shift.