Step-by-step practice
Workshop methods
Choose a procedure for its tools, materials, and working steps. For explanations of the materials and techniques, read the handbook.
New to urushi? Read Safety First before handling lacquer.
Building a furo
Set up a humidity-controlled curing box.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 2
- Handling
- Preparation only
Preparing the substrate
Prepare the surface before applying lacquer.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 6
- Handling
- Preparation only
Kokuso and sabi
Fill gaps and level the surface with lacquer-based fillers.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 6
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Nunokise — cloth reinforcement
Reinforce the workpiece with cloth and lacquer.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 4
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Shitaji — building the ground
Build, cure, and level the foundation layers.
- Steps
- 9
- Videos
- 5
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Fuki-urushi
Apply, wipe back, and cure a thin lacquer finish.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 8
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Naka-nuri — the middle coats
Apply and level the middle coats.
- Steps
- 6
- Videos
- 8
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Uwa-nuri and nuritate
Prepare and apply the final lacquer coat.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 8
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
Roiro — polishing to a mirror
Level and polish a cured lacquer finish.
- Steps
- 8
- Videos
- 5
- Handling
- Some urushi handling
Hira maki-e
Draw in lacquer and apply metal powder.
- Steps
- 7
- Videos
- 6
- Handling
- Some urushi handling
Kintsugi with real urushi
Repair ceramics using lacquer and metal powder.
- Steps
- 9
- Videos
- 8
- Handling
- Direct urushi handling
How these are built
Watch the original demonstrations.
Steps link to their sources. Illustrations are video frames checked against the step they accompany. Workshop differences and gaps in the source material are noted within each method.
See the sources →