Hidehira Lacquer Ware There are three main stages in the production of a piece of Hidehira lacquer ware. The first involves the making of a wooden carcass of a bowl, which is turned from prepared wood; the second main stage is the application of natural lacquer to that carcass; and the third involves decorating the piece with gold leaf and cloud motifs unique to this ware. The result is a piece of lacquer ware embodying the combined talents of individual craftsmen entrusted with its production at each stage. Among some of the pieces there are a few coated with natural lacquer tapped in Iwate prefecture, which has been well-known as a center for the production of this refined tree sap, for many centuries. Stage One Tapping: Natural lacquer is tapped from sumac trees between June and October. A specialist spends all day going round trees, opening up a groove on the bark and collecting the sap which runs out. During this period of four months a total amount of around 150 grams of sap is collected from one tree by visiting it every four days. This is sufficient lacquer to coat about 20 soup bowls. Stage Two Preparing the Wood: Pieces of beech and horse-chestnut are cut into large tablet-shaped pieces and seasoned for three years, to dry and lessen the chance of distortion and movement. In order to allow the wood to season gradually, the block is first cut larger than actually needed for a bowl, because otherwise it would split and change shape. The moisture content of the wood is brought down to 20% and 'smoked' dry. Stage Three Turning: The blocks are turned on a lathe using a lathe guide to ensure the production of a perfectly circular bowl. It is now that the need to thoroughly season the wood becomes most evident, because a carcass, which has not been seasoned long enough, would certainly go out of true. Stage Four Priming: First of all the wood must be primed to provide a waterproof 'barrier'. To do this, natural lacquer is rubbed into the surface of the finely dimensioned and finished carcass, to prevent the absorption of water which, either during production or subsequent use, may distort the bowl. Stage Five Reinforcing, Application of a Ground: A piece of cloth saturated with an adhesive made from a mixture of natural lacquer and powdered rice is applied to the thin lip and foot of the bowl in order to reinforce them. Next, the whole bowl is coated with a mixture of a special powdered earth and an adhesive lacquer to make the bowl more robust. After this, a further ground of raw natural lacquer and powdered whetstone is applied. Both applications are seen as a way of producing a robust ground for subsequent applications of natural lacquer. Stage Six Lacquering: An undercoat, middle coat and top coat of natural lacquer are now applied. Making use of the fact that natural lacquer dries (hardens) under conditions of high humidity, pieces are placed in a 'drying' chamber, in which high humidity levels are maintained, between the application of each coat of natural lacquer. Each dry coat of natural lacquer is rubbed down with whetstone to smooth off the surface and to prepare it for the next application of natural lacquer. The application of the final top coat is the most stressful, as not even the slightest speck of dust on the surface is tolerated. Stage Seven Decoration: The design drawn out on paper is transferred onto the bowl. Following the design, cloud forms are then painted on in a deep red lacquer. Diamond motifs are then applied with gold leaf. Such elements as spring and summer flowers, grasses and fruit are then painted in, in between the cloud forms. This form of decoration is unique to Hidehira lacquer ware and with its completion the piece is finished.