Lacquered canes

China and japan uses japan lacquer like brass and copper were used in Europe. All the civilian, military and religious day to day objects, were made of japan lacquer. Black, gold, red, burgaudées, or even aventurine. But the highest prices of the former times have gone, since we know that there were plenty of this in the day to day life. India and Persia have the bright red lacquer, orned with painted subject. Of a litle value however.

In all the emperor of China's ceremonies, 400 men wearing Beautiful lacquer canes precede the emperor surrounded by all dignitaries in residency in the capital city, precede him . Japan lacquer is a resinous gum given by the " lacquer tree", or "Rhus verniciflua". The gum can be used alone or mixed with pigment. Each layer must dry 48 hours and thirty layer are needed for 1 mm tickness!

Here above, on the right, a burgaudée lacquer. Cane with wood-rimmed Nashiji lacquer, MEIJI era 1869-1873. Brass Handle and collar, with security button. Whole nagasa -blade- 42cm, sugata shaped, Hondzukuri right. Hamon tempered and quenched, suguha shaped - straight and thin line. The entirety is well-preserved on the Nashiji lacquer.

Opposite, A cane imitating a lacquered bamboo, Hashi-ichi designed, end XIX -1856/1924. This cane has been made by a school teacher from the art school of tokyo, at the end of his life. He specialized in the make of imitation bamboo sabre scabbard.