Lacquer Decoration: Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Since ancient times, the Japanese have used lacquered implements decorated with gold, coral, pottery and other materials. This video introduces mother-of-pearl inlay, a technique that utilizes the shiny interiors of seashells.

The mother-of-pearl inlay technique is used to decorate furniture, Buddhist implements and building interiors. It utilizes the shiny surface inside shells like turban and abalone. The shell pieces are cut into various shapes and inlaid in a wooden or lacquer ground. The technique is often combined with maki-e, a decorative method that employs gold and silver powder on lacquer ground. Chūson-ji’s Golden Hall and its Buddhist implements are also decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay. The radiance of the decoration reflects the splendors of the Pure Land.

There are various mother-of-pearl inlay
techniques, but this video features some basic techniques that
suit tactile explanations. As such, there are some differences between the
techniques displayed here and those used in the original Saddle
with Lions work.