Makie, Yamanaka lacquer ware

Makie is a final step in the production of lacquer pieces. First a design is drawn in the lacquer, and before it dries, powdered gold, silver, or other precious metal is sprinkled on top and made to adhere. Yamanaka lacquerware is known for the highly skilled woodturning techniques used in its making, but makie techniques were transmitted by specialists from Kyoto and Aizu in the early nineteenth century. Subsequently, makie specialists brought back the technique of takamakie (“raised makie”) from Kanazawa, further implementing and developing local artistic techniques. Today a variety of techniques, including takamakie, togidashi makie (“buffed makie”), and hiramakie (“flat makie”), are used primarily in the making of utensils for the tea ceremony.