Urushi-poly(phenol)

Synonyms

Japan; Japanese lacquer; Lacquer; Oriental lacquer

Definition

Urushi is a bio-based coating obtained by enzymatic curing of natural phenolic lipids (urushiols). The resulting coating is highly glossy and shows high durability and solvent resistance.

Introduction

As “Japan” implies the meaning of “a lacquer or varnish giving a hard, glossy finish” and/or “objects decorated and lacquered in the Japanese style,” urushi wares are regarded as one of the most typical symbols of Japanese art. Oriental lacquer (urushi) of Japan and China is a natural resinous sap of the Rhus vernicifera tree (Fig. 1) [1–4]. Using urushi as protective and later decorative coating originated in China, most likely prior to the fifth century B.C. In the sixth century, urushi has spread in Japan with Buddhism. Urushi coating is hard enough to give a brilliant polish and is highly durable (for more than a 1,000 years under appropriate conditions) and solvent-resistant in comparison with the synthetic...