Negoro lacquer tray

Description

Negoro ware is characterized by relatively simple shapes, and by a red lacquer surface rubbed to reveal an underlying layer of black. The name derives from that of a temple, Negoro-ji in present-day Wakayama Prefecture, where the technique for making the wares was discovered by accident in the thirteenth century. Lacquer wares that were originally made in red monochrome started to reveal uneven patches of black after repeated handling. The irregularity of the surface and the contrasting colors became highly prized,and were soon reproduced intentionally in the temple and elsewhere. Negoro-ji itself was destroyed in 1585 during the intense wars of the turbulent period, and none of the original wares from the temple are known to be extant today.