This paper investigates the transformative role of Japanese lacquer in elevating the appeal of exported bamboo basketry during the late 19th century. Initially, lacquer application was functional, serving to enhance the durability and water resistance of bamboo artefacts used for daily purposes. However, as bamboo baskets transitioned into artistic objects, particularly as flower vases for tea ceremonies, lacquer gained significance for its aesthetic contributions, including the creation of a distinctive patina. By the mid-19th century, bamboo craft achieved recognition as the work of named artisans, with lacquer techniques enhancing the material beauty of these objects. This study explores the growing recognition of bamboo baskets as craft objects between 1870 and 1900, focusing on the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (MKG) in Hamburg, a leading collector of these artefacts. By examining lacquer's role, this paper sheds light on its contribution to the global reception of Japanese crafts as industrial art.
Miki Sugiura (Sat,) studied this question.