How did it become "non-mainstream" when it was known as the "ancient plastic"?

Exquisite and beautiful porcelain represents the crystallization of traditional Chinese craft aesthetics and practicality. In addition to porcelain, there is also a type of lacquerware in ancient China. They are light, waterproof, beautiful, not afraid of falling, and easy to shape. These properties come from a magical resin - raw lacquer. However, it is known as the "ancient plastic", but it has gradually become "non-mainstream" in the course of historical evolution...

Lacquer from trees condenses into objects

Raw lacquer, also known as lacquer or natural lacquer, is a liquid resin secreted by mature lacquer trees. Lacquer trees are common in eastern Asia. When the bark is cut, they secrete lacquer liquid to heal the wound. The ancients took advantage of this habit and cut holes in the lacquer trees with knives to make the lacquer liquid flow out and then collected it in containers.

In order not to damage the lacquer tree too much, lacquer farmers often have to climb high up the tree to collect raw lacquer. This work is hard and dangerous, and the yield is very low, so there is a saying that "a pound of lacquer is obtained by a thousand knives per 100 miles".

A Hundred Miles of Paint

Image source: japanjoboli

The main component of raw lacquer is urushiol, which can easily cause skin allergies, but becomes non-toxic after being left to dry. Applying semi-solidified raw lacquer on the surface of objects can make them waterproof and anti-corrosive, and they will not deteriorate for a long time.

As early as 7,000 years ago, a lacquered wooden bowl was unearthed in the Hemudu site in Zhejiang. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, people had already begun to plant lacquer trees. Lacquerware was mostly made of wood and bamboo. The dried bamboo was processed into a suitable shape and then painted with multiple layers of raw lacquer. The lacquerware made in this way not only has a smooth appearance and a hard texture, but is also much lighter and cheaper than bronze ware, and does not break like pottery when dropped, so it quickly became popular all over the country.

Lacquerware from the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty

Image source: wikipedia

When the lacquer first flows out, it is milky white, and turns brownish red after solidification. After a long time, it will oxidize and turn black, which is why the word "black" comes from this. If cinnabar, the most common pigment in ancient times, is added, it becomes red lacquer. Most lacquerware in history is mainly black and red.

From the Spring and Autumn Period to the Han Dynasty, lacquerware craftsmanship developed rapidly. From hairpins, tableware, and musical instruments to desks, thrones, and even coffins, they were often made of lacquerware, and some even used lightweight linen as the base. British science and technology historian Joseph Needham claimed that raw lacquer was the earliest "industrial plastic" of mankind.

The cost is too high to compete with porcelain

However, after the Han Dynasty, lacquerware, a "plastic", gradually faded out of people's daily lives and was basically limited to the high-end market. Instead, porcelain made of clay emerged as a new force. By the Song Dynasty, porcelain was used all over the country... How could lacquerware, which is light, beautiful and not afraid of falling, lose to fragile porcelain?

The problem first lies in the raw materials. Although lacquer trees are widely distributed, the only lacquer trees that produce lacquer of good quality are those in some mountain forests in central and southern my country. With the increase in population and the reduction of forests in later generations, the total amount of lacquer trees has been greatly reduced. It takes nearly ten years for a lacquer tree to produce lacquer, and the annual output is less than 1 kilogram. The output of raw lacquer is increasingly in short supply.

Rhus sumac plant

Image source: wikipedia

When Emperor Xuande of the Ming Dynasty ascended the throne, due to the shortage of lacquerware in the palace, he simply ordered to erase the words on the lacquerware made by his grandfather, Emperor Yongle, and engrave his reign name on it. In contrast, the clay needed to fire porcelain is almost inexhaustible.

In terms of production technology, lacquerware is much more complicated than porcelain. Each piece of lacquerware requires a special base, and the base must be painted with lacquer dozens of times. If there is carving, it may even be painted hundreds of times... Porcelain is fired in one batch and multiple pieces are produced, which is suitable for large-scale production. Therefore, when the porcelain-making technology matures and becomes popular, lacquerware seems flashy and can only be regarded as a luxury.

Switching career to architecture and becoming famous overseas

Raw lacquer, which is considered too luxurious as "plastic", has found a broad market in the construction industry. Mixing raw lacquer with tung oil in a certain proportion is called "paint". The surfaces of the gates, pillars, window sashes, etc. of traditional Chinese buildings are painted with this paint.

It was not until the 20th century that traditional paint finally lost its appeal to modern paints made possible by chemical technology, just as lacquerware fell out of favor. Only high-end wooden furniture and home decorations are still mostly made with traditional paints. In addition, raw lacquer is also an efficient, moisture-proof furniture adhesive, commonly known as "ten thousand years of durability."

Lacquerware bowls and plates Image source: Deeperjapan

In Japan, across the sea, lacquerware manufacturing is almost as old as in China, and has been deeply influenced by Chinese craftsmanship in history. However, due to the late introduction of porcelain firing methods, lacquerware craftsmanship has been developed and promoted for a longer period of time in Japan, and has even become a major symbol of Japanese culture.

In today's Japanese restaurants, tableware such as bowls, plates and trays are mostly still made of raw lacquer.

In English, the word "Japan" also refers to Japanese lacquerware, just like "China" and "porcelain" are the same word. To this day, lacquer is still widely used in Japanese tableware, tea sets, furniture, packaging boxes, etc., and is almost everywhere in Japanese life.

Written by | Zhang Tongtong

Some pictures | Tuchong Creative

WeChat Editor | Weimo

This article was originally published in the October 2014 issue of Museum magazine.