Maki-e was created by the Japanese around 1400 years ago.  Maki-e is a unique art form of sowing gold powders on contour lines drawn with sticky Urushi lacquer to form elaborate designs.  Countless combinations of techniques are used to achieve the contrast and balance of beauty.

Basic Methods of Maki-e   Hira Maki-e (Plain Method) This is the simplest method of all, and needs the least amount of time to complete.  But one is not allowed to make any mistakes, because they cannot be repaired as they can in Togidashi Maki-e.  This is because the designs are drawn with E-Urushi (colored Urushi) on the Urushi surface and the designs are polished right after the Urushi is hardened.  This method can save a lot of time on the work of burnishing, but any mistake will be very visible and irreparable.    The picture on right shows an example of Hira Maki-e.  The pen was further sprinkled with extra gold powders to raised the design.

Togidashi Maki-e (Maki-e Burnishing Method) The basic steps involved are the same as the Hira Maki-e.  One more step has to be done in the case of Togidashi Maki-e, which is Maki-tsume, sprinkling more layers of finer powders to make the surface thicker.

Taka Maki-e: The method of Taka Maki-e is the same as that of Hira Maki-e except for the raised designs and therefore, as with Hira Maki-e, no mistake is allowed.  Methods for raising the designs: 1.      Urushi-age:  applies layers of Urushi to raise the design.  This is the most time consuming and expensive way of all. 2.      Sumi-ko-age:  uses charcoal powders to raise designs.  It is the most commonly used method today. 3.      Sabi-age:  Raises designs by Sabi, which are wet polish powders mixed with crude Urushi. 4.      Suzu (tin) Taka Maki-e:  created by Nagata Yuji, also called Yuji Maki-e.  Baked tin powders are used to raise designs.

Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e: This is the most difficult method of creating Maki-e.  This method is very difficult because two or more different techniques have to be used at the same time.  Whether or not to use Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e has to be decided before the process can be started.  For example, mountains in the distance need Taka Maki-e, while the sky needs the non-dimensional effect of the Togidashi Maki-e method.  Trees in the foreground may need the Taka Maki-e method, and a sea or a creek may need Togidashi Maki-e method, etc.  The difficulty lies in burnishing flat and raised parts of Maki-e at the same time.  Since Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e method is the most difficult technique and good for colorful designs, other non-Maki-e techniques are also usually combined with it.

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