Japanese people have long collected urushi (lacquer) sap, utilizing it for eating utensils, architecture, Buddhist statues and artisanry, among a variety of other things. There used to be many satoyama environments with urushi trees across the country, but many have disappeared due to increased use of synthetic material and an influx of cheaper foreign lacquer. Naturally made urushi is a risk-free and environmentally friendly material.
In a time when the global community is faced with the necessity of solving a wide range of issues, including those of plastics, Urushi Next is working on efforts to produce more urushi and further utilize it, drawing attention to the substance.
We are determined to further promote satoyama capitalism with a dream of satoyama featuring urushi saving Japan and the world.
URL: www.urushinext.org