Negoro Lacquerware, Kishū Lacquer

Negoro is a type of lacquerware that originated at Negoroji, a temple in Wakayama Prefecture. With use, the outermost coat of red lacquer is gradually worn away and the black underlayer is revealed. This style is said to have originated when the monks of Negoroji recognized the beauty in such naturally appearing designs and began to produce lacquerwares in which the outer layer was intentionally polished away. According to another theory, Kishū lacquerware originated when the monks of Negoroji fled to Kuroe after their temple was burned down.