Kushi

Decorative comb used by women dating from the 19th century. It has a wooden body treated with black Japanese urushi lacquer and is completely covered in gold powder: a technique known as kinfundame. On this background, there is a decorative tree branch with various flowers and fruits. The tree branches and leaves are made by applying lacquer (a technique known as taka-maki-e), with small finishing touches made before the whole thing is covered in gold. For the flowers and fruit, there are small inlaid pieces in different materials: mother-of-pearl, red coral, and green turquoise. This technique is called umemono.