G7 Hiroshima Summit Partners’ Program　Maki-e Experience

On May 21, as part of the G7 Hiroshima Summit Partners’ Program, a maki-e experience was held at Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima by urushi lacquer artist Murose Kazumi, who has been recognized as a Living National Treasure for his exceptional mastery of the maki-e technique.
Eight participants from Japan, the host country, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Korea, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Indonesia, and the European Commission had the opportunity to experience and appreciate Japan's traditional culture.

Maki-e is a decorative technique unique to Japan that boasts over 1200 years of history. A design is first drawn in urushi lacquer (the sap of the urushi tree), then finely ground gold or silver powder is sprinkled on the surface before the urushi dries, to create patterns.
The gold powder is sprinkled by lightly tapping the side of a funzutsu, a small bamboo tube with a silk mesh attached to one end, with the middle or ring finger. The amount of powder can be adjusted slightly by the strength of the tapping. It may look easy, but it takes experience to apply the right amount of powder in the right place.
Japanese-made lacquerware has always been highly appreciated abroad and was especially favored among European royalty and nobility during the 17th and 18th centuries, to the point that maki-e came to be called "japan." Of the many fine collections of maki-e that can still be found today across Europe, that of the Queen of France Marie Antoinette is one of the most renowned.

Although not visible to the eye, the surface on which the gold dust is sprinkled is actually coated with multiple layers of urushi lacquer. Since it is necessary to wait for each layer to harden before moving on to the next step, it can take up to one year just for the lacquering process alone. After sprinkling the powder, another coat of urushi is applied to fix it in place, then the surface is polished after it has hardened. This process is repeated several times until the work is finished.

During the Partners’ Program, Murose Kazumi provided explanations and practical demonstrations about urushi and maki-e. The participants then experienced themselves the process of filling a funzutsu tube with gold powder and sprinkling it on a black lacquered sake cup.
Murose and two other urushi artists had drawn in advance a pattern on the inside of the sake cups, but at first it was not visible. When the participants sprinkled the powder, golden cherry blossoms appeared on the black surface, instantly bringing smiles to everyone's faces! It was the first time for them to experience maki-e, but they all did a great work and looked satisfied with the result.
The finished pieces will be delivered to the participants on a later date. We sincerely hope that these uniquely made sake cups will be a lasting memento of their time in Japan!