Kiji: Unfinished wood base

Yamanaka lacquerware characteristically uses zelkova, horse chestnut, or cherry birch wood trimmed vertically (tatekidori) in rings. Compared to horizontal trimming, this technique results in less warping and greater durability. The rough-cut wood is first placed in a vacuum dryer and 7 percent of its water content is removed. The wood is left to age slowly, and when its water content is restored, lathe work begins. Then the wood is carved in a variety of patterns unique to the Yamanaka tradition: sensuji (“thousand stripes”), inahosuji (“rice-ear-like stripes”), and arasuji (“rough stripes”), to name a few.