CHOSHITSU

The Emergence of the Craft

Choshitsu is the term is used nowadays as the general term used to describe the beautiful patterns created by utilising this method of painting on engraved layers on the lacquer ware surfaces of 'tsuishu' or carved red lacquer, 'shikoku' or carved black lacquer, 'tsuio' or carved yellow lacquer or 'benibanaryokuyo' safflor green.In China however, the 'tsui' lacquer symbol is retained.

Tekiko or 'tsuishu' (red lacquer) and tekkoku or 'shikoku' (black lacquer) were the terms used in olden times, and with respect to differences in sculpting and color, 'sogyoku', 'ekisai' and 'ryugoku' were other means of identification.

Choshitsu carved lacquer was held in special respect and affection by the court nobles and citizens of China and this technique emerged in the beginning of the Tang Period. In the Sung and Yuan Periods development further hastened.

In Zhe Jiang province and the Xi Tang Yang area of Jia Jing province in China, the son of Zhang Cheng, called Zang De Gang was invited by the royal household, and given a position and mansion for reviving his father's craft. The Ching Period works were mainly produced in the years of the Kanryu Period and pieces created after this date are also in existence.

According to the records of the Ming Period, 'the highest quality Choshitsu carved lacquer pieces were made in the Sung Period', but it is almost mpossible to see such lacquer ware dating back to the Sung or Yuan Periods in China.

CHOSHITSU CRAFTMENSHIP

Choshitsu carved lacquer can be divided into the following 2 categories.
Using coatings of the same color layers of lacquer are thickly painted; in the case of Choshitsu, red lacquer, known as 'tsuishu', black lacquer referred to as 'tsuikoku' and yellow lacquer given the name of 'tsuio' are used.

By using layers of the same color of lacquer, a single colored layer can be achieved, but on glimpsing a cut section of Choshitsu carved lacquer, layers painted consecutively resemble wood grain rings; pale in appearance combining at one level to produce a tasteful effect.

For lacquer ware of 2 colors or more, thick layers are created and engraved resulting in a colorful and unique pattern called 'benibana-ryokuyo' from olden times.

Regardless of method, to make deep engravings on the lacquer surface adequate volumes of lacquer are required to create thickness and in some instances coating amounting to over 100 or 200 times is done. The end result of 100 layers however, only amounts to a miniscule 3 mm.

At present, new techniques are being developed but we can say that the special features of Choshitsu are the precision of fine, sensitive cutting knife movements which establish the final symmetry of the piece. Among lacquer ware techniques, this sculpting method is notable for its enhancement of the character of lacquer.

In 1955, Otomaru Kodo of Kagawa was selected by the Ministry of Education as a national living cultural treasure and in 1976 Kagawa prefecture received the honour of being designated an important region of production in line with traditional craft industry production promotion legislation by the nation.