[KANSHITU] - dry lacquer
Many Buddha statues representing Japan were made in the Tempyo period (in the years 710-784), using a unique modelling technique known as [KANSHITSU]. First, a rough shape is made with wood, followed by layers of applied linen fabric with paste of [URUSHI]-Japanese lacquer, then paste with wood flour and [URUSHI] is applied for the finer details. [URUSHI] is then hardened in a special high-humidity room. As the technique has ability to express more delicacy and gracefulness in the work than wood carving, many masterpieces were created during that period. However, this technique requires considerable time and labor to incorporate large quantities of a very expensive [URUSHI] (the second most expensive material after gold). These impracticalities lead to a different technique of Buddha statue making, which changed to wood carving in the Heian period in 784. [KANSHITSU] statues are currently rare in the world and are not found in China or other areas in South-East Asia. There are only a few left in Japan, such as "Shorin temple, Eleven-faced Goddess of Mercy statue ", "Toshodai temple, Kannon-with-One-Thousand-Arms statue" and "Toshodai temple, Yakushi Nyorai statue".
[MAKIE] [KINPAKU] - Gold leaf
Using unique Japanese methods, [KINPAKU]-gold leaf is made by beating and stretching gold to its thinnest limit. [KINPAKU] is often used with [URUSHI]-Japanese lacquer. [MAKIE] is the technique of applying and decorating with gold and silver powder on a drawing composed from [URUSHI]. In the second half of the 16th century, Europeans who visited Japan admired the buildings and furniture using gold-leaf, and recalled Marco Polo's "Zipangu tradition." Marco Polo did not understand the technology behind [KINPAKU] and [URUSHI]. He thought that the buildings were made of solid gold, but in fact, the surfaces of the buildings and furniture were coated with [KINPAKU] on [URUSHI]. In the same way as porcelain became known as "China", [KINPAKU-URUSHI] products came to be known as "Japan".
[URUSHI] - Japanese lacquer
[URUSHI] is a natural resin made from the sap extracted from specific trees. The material has outstanding durability. In fact, in Fukui prefecture, an article made of Urushi was found from the Jomon period 6500 years ago, proving its everlasting qualities. In the humid climates of Japan, [URUSHI] has been used for many years as a material for tableware. In Japan there is a culture that people drink from a bowl directly, originally made from [URUSHI], which provides a soft and warm feel for the lips to touch. The Urushi tree causes a skin rash, and it was thus believed to have a special power of purging evil spirits. Japanese see deities and the endless universe in the black color of [URUSHI], and when Buddhism came to Japan, statues of Buddha were made with [URUSHI] and became a vessel for the soul of the Buddha.
