URUSHI Urushi Leather

【Jet Black and Dull Gray Shadows Depicting the Times】

The method of applying lacquer to leather is ancient, dating back to the Nara and Asuka periods. It seems to have been used to maintain the strength of leather boxes and armor, as well as for protection against mold. Due to its lustrous beauty, it remains one of the leather techniques used for decorative items with various patterns.

When creating MOQUIP Urushi leather, the first word that came to mind from "Urushi" (lacquer) was "Shikkoku" (jet black). We wondered how to express the blackness in this evocative term for black. We first dyed the leather with "Nibi-iro" (dull gray), a matte, sumi-ink black that contrasts with jet black. Then, we created shadows with an abstract embossed pattern. Finally, we applied lacquer to the raised areas to express the light and shadow of black.

The finished lacquer surface has a mirror-like shine, so to integrate the shadows, we intentionally massaged the leather to create fine cracks on the lacquer surface, completing the finish. MOQUIP Urushi leather, which combines the inherent softness of leather with the dynamic undulations of light, was thus perfected.

Even though the leather is massaged during finishing, the adhesion between the leather and lacquer is strong. However, there is a possibility that the lacquer may peel off with use. The leather itself will gradually soften, and since the abstract pattern is designed so that some peeling of the lacquer will not be noticeable, please enjoy this aging process as well.