When organic chemist Takayuki Honda visited Okinawa Island in southern Japan a few ... To make lacquer usable as a substitute for hexavalent chromium, it had to be black, and have a durability ...

Over time, the craft spread from China to other parts of Asia and new techniques were developed, each demanding patience and ...

Raden, a decorative lacquerware technique, uses the glimmering inner layer of shells. The inlay appears to float ...

In Wajima, the heart of Japan's lacquerware tradition, Paul Carter meets a community determined to preserve their craft. From the intricate layering glossy lacquer ... Black holes are one of ...

From intricate lacquer bowls to hand-sheeted washi paper, the Hokuriku region is home to some of Japan's best craftspeople ... adorned with accents of black and vermillion. In Fukui Prefecture's ...