Reveal the Unseen Beauty of Chinkin Lacquer Art

There’s an enigmatic beauty to Chinkin (gold inlay) that distinguishes it from any other decorative technique. Whether portraying blooming gardens or lively scenes of birds and animals, Chinkin designs are composed of countless golden lines and dots. To the uninitiated, the effect is magical; to the discerning, the resulting object is an exceptional masterpiece.

Part of the Urushi (lacquer) art, the Chinkin technique carries a storied history spanning one millennium. Originating in China during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), Chinkin arrived in Japan during the Muromachi period (1338–1573), where fascinated artisans embraced and further developed the technique, creating elaborate and notable designs.

In the 21st century, Japanese artist Kiyoshi Torige is infusing this ancient art with a contemporary sensibility. Recipient of the esteemed Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government in 2021 for his contributions to Chinkin, Torige integrates traditional techniques with fresh themes, enriching the art form with his own artistic perspectives.

Carved into lacquer

Chinkin sets itself apart from the more widely known Urushi technique, Maki-e. While Maki-e practitioners delicately sprinkle gold powder onto lacquered surfaces, Chinkin artists carve into the lacquer and embed gold powder into their fine incisions.

The result is that whereas Maki-e achieves a uniform granular texture, Chinkin designs exhibit a nuanced variance and delicate refinement. Each line is meticulously composed of countless microscopic dots, each no larger than 0.1 millimetres, giving the artwork unmatchable intricacy of detail and precision.

A promising young lacquer artist from Taiwan, Kaijing Chen has been apprenticing with Torige to study the many nuances of Chinkin. “It’s a mysterious art form,” she says. “While it may appear simplistic when compared to other opulent and complex lacquer arts that adorn objects with mother-of-pearl and rich colours, Chinkin possesses a unique temperament. It’s both splendid and tranquil, sophisticated yet seemingly simple.”

Chen was first captivated by the exquisitely crafted Chinkin lacquerware she saw at an Urushi exhibition. “The silky darkness, meticulously carved with a knife and adorned with millions of tiny golden dots, exuded a minimalist, ethereal, and exquisitely beautiful style that resonated deeply with me,” Chen says.

Beauty in nuances

Chen’s Chinkin series Underwater Cats is a whimsical collection of intriguing cat figures depicted underwater among seashells, pufferfish, dolphins, and seahorses. These delightful images are made up of thousands of minuscule dots and lines carved onto lacquered surfaces and filled with gold powder.

The cats’ whiskers and fur are carved with refined, fluid lines, while details such as eyes and ears are meticulously rendered with tiny dots. “I started with dot carving, which typically requires about two years of practice before progressing to line carving,” Chen says. “Precision is essential; every dot and line must be flawless.”

While the tiny dots may appear uniform at first glance, they actually exhibit subtle variations in shape and depth due to the precise angles and pressures applied during the carving process. These variations are crucial elements that enhance the piece’s overall aesthetic appeal, and they aren’t easy to achieve.
“You might sometimes observe a Chinkin artist carving swiftly and effortlessly, but that level of mastery actually comes from many years of experience and practice,” Chen says.

As Chen joins her mentor Torige in creating exquisite Chinkin lacquerware, the two artists are reigniting a passion for this centuries-old craft. Through their exquisite creations, they hope to inspire emerging artists to explore the beauty of Chinkin so that they, too, can become stewards of the craft.