Urushi - The beauty of red and black Japan lacquer
A collection of one-of-a-kind Artisan timepieces with Japan lacquer dials
Angular Momentum has created and manufactured a unique collection of one-of-a-kind Artisan timepieces with Japan lacquer dials. Every dial is hand made and carries animals with great symbolic significance in Japanese culture
Hototogisu - Cuckoo
Flying Cuckoo made in „Takamaki-e“ high relief „Nego-ro“ black upon red lacquer on gra and black Guilloche lacquer ground.
Hototogisu: This small bird is usually depicted either flying through rain, in which association it represents the coming spring and further serves as a reminder to the farmers to sow their rice, or portrayed flying across a crescent moon, as the Cuckoo is said to sing only as the moon fades and dawn begins. The Cuckoo is rarely seen, for it flies so swiftly that usually it can only be heard.
Stainless steel, sapphire, mechanical self-winding movement, case caliber 40.50 mm
Koi Carp made in „Takamaki-e“ high relief black lacquer on black Guilloche lacquer ground.
Koi: This fish has great symbolic significance and appea-res often in lacquer art. The word „Koi“ also means pur-pose, and the carp is emblematic of strength, perseveran-ce, endurance, and mainly virtue. Only the carp, however, has the fighting strength, perseverance, and endurance to conquer the greatest obstacle of all. This is called the „Dragon Gate“, and as its reward for conquering this obsticle the carp is transformed into a dragon and then lives forever after in happiness.
Another translation for Koi is „love“, and two carps are considered emblematic of happy married life. longivety, and numerous offsprings.
Stainless steel, sapphire, mechanical self-winding move-ment, case caliber 40.50 mm
Ryu - Dragon
Dragon made in „Takamaki-e“ high relief black upon red lacquer on black „Ishime“lacquer ground.
Ryu: The Japnese word „Ryu“ is derived from the Chine-se word meaning powerful.
The dragon represents the fifth year of the twelve-year-cy-cle of the Oriental zodiac, the month of March, the hours between 7 and 9 am, and the direction east-southeast.
The dragon of Japanese mythology was adapted and modified from Chinese concept which in turn reflected Indian and Taoist influences. It originally embodied the principles of the male and the female, the „Yang“ and the „Ying“ and was associated with the power of water. both of rain and of the sea. Among the various dragons are the celestial dragon, who guards the gods, the spiritual dragon, who produces wind and rain, the earth dragon who marks the courses of streams and rivers, and the dragon of hidden treasures, who watches over the wealth hidden from mankind
Stainless steel, sapphire, mechanical self-winding move-ment, case caliber 40.50 mm
Hamaguri and Horagai
Clam and Conch - Treasures of the sea
Conches and Clams in „Takamaki-e“ high relief black lacquer as found at the shore on black „Ishime“ ground, imitating sand surface.
Hamaguri: This mollusk is surrounded by supersticion and symbology revolving mainly about its alleged powers to emit a purplish mist in which one can see depicted the mythological island of „Horai“, which is the island of eternal life, and also the fabled dragon palace of Ryujin, which is at the bottom of the sea.
Horagai: This sea shell, which was used long ago by warriors as a signal horn, has come to symbolically represent victory in battle. Furthermore, it is one of the eight Bud-dhist symbols, since it is related that Buddha‘s descent to earth was heralded by the sound of the Hora.
Stainless steel, sapphire, mechanical self-winding move-ment, case caliber 40.50 mm
URUSHI
The Beauty of Black Lacquer
Urushi is the sap of the urushi (or lacquer) tree. Its scientific name is rhus vernicifera. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae (sumac) family, and is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the eastern Himalayas region. The sap of this tree contains a resin-urushiol, which when exposed to moisture and air, polymerises and becomes a very hard, durable, plastic-like substance, lac-quer! Urushi is, in fact, a natural plastic. A similar tree, with similar properties, is found in South-East Asia.
There is evidence that stoneage peoples discovered the useful properties of the sap of the urushi tree. They first used its adhesi-ve properties in the making of spears and arrows. In early Japan, the people of recognizing the durability and shining beauty of urushi began using it to coat wood, pottery, baskets and bone objects. From its first use in the making of bowls, plates, trays, sake cups, boxes, combs and other objects, the use of urushi developed along with culture.
In Japan the urushi bowl or plate became a part of the harmony of traditional Japanese food. In the royal court culture classical styles took form. Makie and raden urushi techniques elegantly used gold and silver to ennoble furniture, make-up accessories, toys, and writing implements.
Urushi also became an integral part of the harmony of Natsume (tea containers), Kago (incense burners) and other tools and utensils used in the tea ceremony. Outside the court, urushi was used in Buddhist temples and in the making of armor, helmets, swords, and other implements of war. In the Edo (1600 - 1867) people adorned themselves with beautiful urushi medicine ca-ses, combs and hairpins. In the 17th Century, the Dutch East India Company introduced Japanese and Chinese lacquerware to Europe.
Today, while many craftspeople still make beautiful lacquerwa-re, urushi has become an important material in the art scene in Japan and other parts of Asia. Contemporary artists are increa-sing working with urushi, its colors, shapes and techniques, in their paintings, art objects and jewelry.
1) PROTECTIVE - Urushi is a liquid that can be applied to just about any surface wood, metal, cloth, ceramics, etc. When it solidifies, it becomes a very hard coating that waterproofs and protects the coated object from the effects of mold, mildew, and other forms of weathering. It also provides protection against caustic substances, such as acids. Only direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause urushi to deteriorate. Urushi‘s hardness and durability make it an excellent protective coating for any object required to be preserved and used continually over a long period of time.
2) ADHESIVE - The first use of urushi was as an adhesive. Stone age people first used it in the making of spears and arrows. They discovered that pointed stone, or metal could be bound to wooden shafts using urushi. Today, its adhesive property is used to connect object pieces and to attach decorations using metal leaf, powder, shell, etc.
3) FORM AND SHAPE - By adding clay powder to thicken it, urushi can be shaped into decorative objects (Takamaki-e). Cloth is also given form and shape by coating it with rice glue-urushi mixture.
4) DECORATION - Urushi resin can be dyed black, red, brown, or yellow. Gold leaf, or powder is used to decorate objects. In addition, various types of shell inlay work (Raden) is done to enhance the beauty of objects. Especially in Japan, the decorative power of urushi has become an important aspect of its artistic culture.
Objects: „Kanshitsu“ First a form is made of clay or plaster. Then the form is covered in hemp cloth. Then it is stiffened by coating it with urushi adhesive, (urushi, clay powder, and rice glue), three to five times. This base is then covered by a urushi and clay powder mixture again three to five times. Next, it is polished until smooth using wet stone or sandpaper. Finally, at least two more coats of urushi are added.
„Raden and Rankaku inlay“ The piece is then decorated. Usu-ally a shell inlay of abalone, mother of pear or sometimes egg shelll is used. A layer of urushi binds the shell to the surface. The piece then receives more layers of urushi and is, finally, carefully polished.
„Makie“ Makie is a traditional way of decorating an urushi surface. First, a drawing is transferred on the polished flat sur-face. A coat of urushi is put on and then gold or silver powder is sprinkled before the urushi dries. After drying, another thin coating of urushi is put on the surface. Then after drying, it is polished.
(Hira-Makie) „Shitaji texture“ This technique, an under coat texture method, is used before coating the urushi work. It is made of urushi and a clay powder mixture. It is thick, so it is possible to mold it like clay. After coating and before it dries, the surface is scratched with a comb, or a rolled string. This gives an interesting texture to the work. After this, it is coated with urushi, or first with metal leaf.
Angular Momentum is one of the first company introduced Urushi to horology.
Find Urushi material and tools at http://www1.odn.ne.jp/j-lacquer/home_eng.html
