Maki-e sutra box, Edo maki-e

Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, many of the official painters who had enjoyed the patronage and protection of the Tokugawa shogunate or other daimyo families were forced to change or give up their businesses. Fortunately, new Meiji government policies aimed at encouraging industry also encouraged the production of lacquer wares, particularly since these had proved to be so popular in markets abroad. Urushi lacquer crafting was added to the curriculum of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) in 1887, with classes initially run by teacher Ogawa Shomin (1847–91).