The interactive content “Japanese Lacquer Workshop” made available as part of “Japanese Culture Plaza” in Room T4 of the Japanese Gallery (Honkan) at the Tokyo National Museum has been reborn online. Now, anyone can enjoy the same experience as the museum’s workshop at school, at home, or anywhere, anytime.
The online content is supported in four languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean), making it available for more users to enjoy.
https://edu-cpcp.nich.go.jp/urushi/app/
Please confirm the recommended environment described below before use.
Recommended Environment
・Screen size of 10 inches or larger
・Horizontal display capabilities with at least 1,366 by 768 pixels
・A touchscreen or mouse pointing device
・Please note that operation is not guaranteed on all operating systems, browsers, or devices.
Japanese Lacquer Workshop Online is divided into two parts, “Try the maki-e technique!” and “Try designing a writing box with maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay!”
Part 1. Try the maki-e technique!
In Part 1, you can try drawing a design in lacquer sprinkled with metallic powder (maki-e) by following the instructions.
Workshop interface: Freely draw a design in maki-e in three steps.
Part 2. Try designing a writing box with maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay!
In Part 2, you can design a box using the iris leaves and flowers, bridge planks, and flowing water depicted in Writing Box with the Eight-Plank Bridge as parts.
By adjusting the size and position of each part, you can create your own original box.
The completed design can be downloaded and printed out to make a paper model.
Workshop interface: Create your own original design using the iris leaves/flowers and other design elements of the writing box.
Downloadable paper model (before assembly)
An actual assembled maki-e and mother-of-pearl writing box paper model