How We Craft Our Lacquer Bracelets

Behind every urushi bead lies a quiet devotion to time.
In a world that moves faster by the second, the art of urushi lacquerwork remains untouched by haste. It is not just a technique—it is a ritual, practiced with patience, care, and respect for nature. From raw wood to a luminous, mirror-like finish, each piece undergoes a transformation that can take weeks or even months. To understand what makes urushi so special, we need to follow its creation process from start to finish.

Lacquer Preparation

Freshly harvested lacquer sap is carefully filtered and refined using traditional methods to achieve the right consistency and purity. After refinement, the lacquer is blended with natural minerals or pigments to create rich, nuanced colors—each batch precisely matched to the intended design.

Bead Core Preparation

Each bead begins with a carefully chosen wood core, typically made from high-quality woods such as nanmu or sandalwood. These materials offer both structural integrity and a natural harmony with lacquer. Every core is shaped, polished, and dried to perfection.

Base Coating

A fine clay-lacquer blend may be applied to create a strong, smooth foundation. This enhances the lacquer’s finish and ensures long-lasting durability.

Multi-Layer Hand Lacquering

Each bracelet is coated by hand, layer after layer—using different colors of lacquer carefully chosen to match the design. This process takes weeks, with up to 30 layers slowly building a pattern that feels both deliberate and naturally formed.

Inlay & Decorative Finishes

Depending on the design, the lacquered surface is inlaid with rare materials:

  • Mother-of-pearl for shimmering iridescence
  • Gold leaf or ripple textures for layered depth
  • Crushed opal for a radiant, cosmic glow.

Each inlay reveals its own play of light, texture, and symbolic beauty.

Wet Sanding & Polishing

Each layer is gently sanded and smoothed, then polished by hand to reveal a deep, jade-like luster that feels warm and alive.

Patina Over Time

With wear, each bead develops a unique patina—a soft, evolving sheen that reflects your personal journey. The more it's worn, the more luminous it becomes.