Lacquerware in Asia, Today and Yesterday (Memory of Peoples)

Dating back several thousand years in Chinese history, the art of lacquer can claim to be one of the most ancient and venerable expressions of Asian culture. But this traditional knowledge, so firmly rooted in people's daily life, is under threat. Over the past decades, the number of people employed in the lacquerware workshops, and particularly the younger generation, has fallen dramatically all over Asia. This book offers a comprehensive picture of both lacquer creative arts and craftsmanship, allowing the reader to compare the different methods and materials used in Cambodia, China, India, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. It underlines the importance of documenting past and modern procedures, including knowledge of raw materials and techniques.