Manu Propria Tomato Lacquer

The custom of using red-lacquered (cinnabar) utensils in religious environments forms part of the earliest lacquer production traditions in Japan. In the buddhist context, the existance of a variety of red-lacquered implements produced on a high level of demand is testified by temple inventories as early as the ninth century.

Cinnabar was considered a most luxurious material. Since ancient times it was used as vermillion (Shû) for lacquer varnishing.
Mercury cinnabar (Ryûka suigin or suiginshû) was only available in regions with deposits of mercury layers and whos use would most likely have been limited to urban centers of power only.

Negoro lacquers (red and black) form part of the eldest lacquer tradition in Japan.

Enjoy weekend,

Best regards,

Martin
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Gorgeous work - particularly the one in the top photo.

Is cinnabar still used? Every book I've read on pigments has massive health warnings against using it - but I know urushi is a different world from western painting.