If you are looking for raw urushi lacquer, also called ki-urushi, you may have noticed that most online suppliers are based in Japan, Europe, or the United States.

But there is another option that many international artists and craftspeople are less familiar with:

According to Takuo Matsuzawa of Joboji Urushi Workshop Co., interviewed by The Japan Times in 2019, about 97% of the urushi used in Japan was imported, mainly from China.

A separate interview with Japanese urushi industry professional Takuya Tsutsumi similarly described 97–98% of lacquer circulating in Japan as foreign-produced, mainly Chinese, with domestic Japanese lacquer accounting for only around 2–3%.

This does not mean that Japanese lacquer craftsmanship is dependent on Chinese craftsmanship. Japan has developed its own highly sophisticated lacquer traditions. It means that the raw-material supply chain and the cultural history of lacquer are two different things.

buying natural urushi directly from China.

China has one of the world's longest documented histories of natural lacquer use and has historically been a major producer and supplier of raw lacquer. Today, Chinese urushi is used for traditional lacquerware, kintsugi, maki-e, raden and other lacquer crafts.

For artists who need authentic natural urushi as well as specialized tools and materials, buying directly from a Chinese supplier can also provide a wider selection and potentially better overall value.

In this guide, we will explain where to buy raw urushi, what to look for when choosing it, and why China is an important source of natural lacquer.

What Is Raw Urushi?

Raw urushi, commonly called ki-urushi (生漆) in Japanese lacquer terminology, is the natural sap collected from the lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum.

It is the fundamental material behind traditional East Asian lacquer techniques.

Raw urushi can be used in different stages of traditional lacquer work, including:

• Kintsugi
• Maki-e
• Raden and mother-of-pearl inlay
• Traditional lacquerware
• Wood and bamboo lacquerwork
• Adhesive applications
• Ground and foundation layers
• Other traditional urushi techniques

Natural lacquer is not simply a modern coating material. Archaeological research shows that humans were using natural lacquer thousands of years ago.

China Has a Long History of Natural Urushi

One reason China is an important place to source urushi is its exceptionally long history of lacquer production and craftsmanship.

Archaeological evidence from the Yangtze River Delta shows that natural lacquer was being used during the Neolithic period.

Jingtoushan: Evidence Dating Back 7,800–8,300 Years

At the Jingtoushan Neolithic site in Zhejiang Province, researchers investigated two wooden objects with black coatings.

The site has a stratigraphic age of approximately 7,800–8,300 calibrated years before present.

Using infrared analysis, pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), researchers identified the black coatings as natural lacquer.

The study, published in Archaeometry, describes these objects as the earliest lacquerwares discovered in China.

This is significant because it shows that the use of natural lacquer in China goes back thousands of years before the development of the lacquer traditions that are more familiar to many people today.

Kuahuqiao: Natural Lacquer Used as Both Coating and Adhesive

Another important archaeological site is Kuahuqiao in Zhejiang Province.

Researchers studied a lacquered mulberry bow, an ancient canoe, and a repaired pottery fragment from the site.

Scientific analysis identified the material as natural lacquer derived from Toxicodendron vernicifluum.

The research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, concluded that natural lacquer was being used at Kuahuqiao approximately 8,000 years ago, both as a coating and as an adhesive.

This is particularly interesting for modern kintsugi practitioners because it demonstrates that the adhesive properties of natural lacquer have an extremely long history.

Is China a Major Source of Raw Urushi?

Yes.

China has historically been one of the world's most important sources of natural raw lacquer.

Historical industry literature has described China as accounting for more than 80% of world raw lacquer production. More recent research also describes China as the world's dominant producer and historical supplier of natural raw lacquer, noting that China historically accounted for approximately 80% of international lacquer trade.

However, production and international trade change over time, so it is more accurate to describe China as a major historical and present-day source of natural lacquer rather than assume that a single percentage remains constant every year.

This distinction matters when comparing suppliers.

The important point for artists is simple:

China is not a new or secondary source of urushi. Natural lacquer has been produced, processed and used in China for thousands of years.

Why Is So Much Chinese Urushi Associated With Japan?

If you search online for "urushi lacquer", you will often find Japanese suppliers first.

This can create the impression that natural urushi is primarily a Japanese product.

The history is more complicated.

The lacquer tree Toxicodendron vernicifluum is native to East Asia, and natural lacquer has a long history of use in China, Japan and Korea. Academic research on ancient lacquer also identifies China as one of the major historical centers of lacquer production and technology.

Japan subsequently developed an exceptionally sophisticated lacquer culture, including highly refined traditions of maki-e and other decorative techniques.

As a result, Japanese lacquer craftsmanship became internationally famous.

Today, many international artists therefore search for Japanese urushi, even when what they actually need is natural urushi suitable for a particular technique.

The country name alone does not tell you whether a particular lacquer is suitable for your project.

The more important questions are:

• What type of urushi is it?
• What is its intended application?
• What grade is it?
• How has it been processed?
• What are its characteristics?
• Is it suitable for the technique you are using?
  
  
  

Where Can You Buy Raw Urushi?

There are several ways to buy natural urushi.

1. Japanese Specialty Suppliers

Japan has many established suppliers specializing in urushi and traditional Japanese craft materials.

These suppliers can be an excellent choice, particularly if you are already familiar with a particular Japanese product or need materials associated with a specific Japanese craft tradition.

However, international buyers may encounter:

• Higher retail prices
• International shipping costs
• Limited product selection
• Different tax or import arrangements depending on the destination
• The need to purchase different materials from multiple suppliers

For a professional artist purchasing many specialized materials, these costs can add up.

2. Local Art and Conservation Suppliers

Some countries have specialist suppliers serving:

• Conservation professionals
• Ceramic artists
• Woodworkers
• Kintsugi practitioners
• Traditional craft artists

The advantage is local shipping and potentially easier communication.

The disadvantage is that selection can be limited, particularly for less common urushi tools and materials.

3. Buying Raw Urushi Directly from China

For buyers who want to source natural urushi together with kintsugi, maki-e and traditional lacquer-art materials, buying directly from China is another option.

China is an important source of raw lacquer, and direct purchasing can reduce the number of intermediaries between the producer/supplier and the international artist.

It can also make sense for artists who need several different materials rather than a single bottle of urushi.

Why Buy Urushi Directly from China?

There are several potential advantages.

1. Direct Access to a Major Urushi Source

China has a long-established natural lacquer industry and a long history of lacquer cultivation, processing and craftsmanship.

Buying from a specialist Chinese supplier gives international artists another way to access Chinese urushi rather than relying exclusively on overseas resellers.

. Potentially Better Value

When a product passes through several distributors before reaching the final artist, every stage can add:

• Wholesale margins
• Retail margins
• International shipping
• Handling costs
• Import-related costs

Buying closer to the source can reduce some of these layers.

However, the final cost always depends on the destination, shipping method, taxes and import regulations.

For this reason, it is best to compare the total delivered cost, rather than simply comparing the listed product price.

3. More Urushi Grades to Choose From

Different lacquer projects do not necessarily require the same urushi.

For example, a lacquer used for a foundation layer may have different requirements from one used for finishing or decorative work.

Our raw urushi collection therefore offers multiple grades and package sizes, allowing artists to test smaller quantities before purchasing larger amounts.

We recommend choosing urushi according to your actual application rather than automatically buying the most expensive grade.

You can see our current selection here:

Natural Raw Urushi Lacquer (Ki-Urushi)
https://urushilacquer.com/products/natural-raw-urushi-lacquer-ki-urushi-kintsugi

4. One-Stop Shopping for Urushi and Lacquer-Art Materials

For many artists, the biggest advantage is not simply the price of urushi.

It is the ability to purchase multiple specialized materials from one supplier.

At Urushi Lacquer China, our product range includes:

• Natural raw urushi
• Colored urushi
• Kintsugi materials
• Kintsugi tools
• Maki-e materials
• Maki-e brushes
• Gold and silver powders
• Mother-of-pearl and raden materials
• Sanding and polishing materials
• Specialized lacquer-art tools
• Other traditional lacquer supplies

This can be particularly useful for artists who need small or specialized items that may be difficult to find locally.

Instead of ordering from several different suppliers, artists can purchase many of the materials required for their project from one place.

What Should You Look for When Buying Raw Urushi?

Before purchasing raw urushi, consider the following.

1. Intended Use

Are you buying urushi for:

• Kintsugi?
• Maki-e?
• Raden?
• Traditional lacquerware?
• Adhesive work?
• Foundation layers?
• Finishing?

The intended application should be one of the first things you consider.

2. Grade

Natural raw urushi can vary in characteristics and processing.

A higher-priced product is not automatically the best choice for every stage of a project.

For beginners, purchasing a smaller quantity and testing the material first can be more practical than immediately buying a large quantity.

3. Quantity

If you have never used a particular urushi before, consider starting with a smaller package.

Once you understand how the material behaves with your technique and working environment, you can purchase larger quantities with greater confidence.

4. Shipping

Urushi is a specialized natural material, so international shipping should always be considered before purchasing.

Check:

• Shipping cost
• Destination restrictions
• Import requirements
• Packaging
• Delivery time

Different countries may have different regulations concerning natural lacquer products.

Where Can I Buy Raw Urushi Online?

If you are specifically looking for natural raw urushi / ki-urushi, you can purchase it from specialist suppliers in Japan, Europe, North America and China.

For artists looking for a broad selection of Chinese natural urushi, kintsugi materials, maki-e supplies, raden materials and specialized lacquer tools, we operate an online store at:

Urushi Lacquer China

https://urushilacquer.com

Our products have been shipped to customers in more than 50 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.

Our goal is to make traditional lacquer materials easier for international artists to access directly from China.

More Than a Store: Free Urushi and Kintsugi Education

We also believe that selling materials is only part of supporting traditional lacquer craft.

Many artists who are new to urushi have difficulty finding reliable information about:

• How to use raw urushi
• Which urushi to choose
• Kintsugi techniques
• Maki-e techniques
• Raden and mother-of-pearl work
• Traditional lacquer tools
• Surface preparation
• Polishing

For this reason, we regularly publish free instructional videos covering kintsugi, urushi, maki-e, raden and other traditional lacquer techniques.

You can find our tutorials on YouTube:

URUSHI KINTSUGI CHINA

We also share content on TikTok:

@urushi.kintsugi.china

Conclusion: You Don't Have to Buy Urushi Only from Japan

If you are searching for raw urushi, Japanese suppliers are not your only option.

China has a documented history of natural lacquer use stretching back more than 8,000 years, and it has historically been one of the world's most important sources of raw lacquer. Archaeological research from Jingtoushan and Kuahuqiao provides scientific evidence for the early use of natural lacquer in the Yangtze River Delta.

For modern artists, the most important question is not simply whether a lacquer comes from China or Japan.

Instead, consider:

What type of urushi do I need?
What grade is appropriate for my technique?
How much do I need?
What is the total delivered cost?
And can I source the other materials I need from the same supplier?

For artists looking for a broad selection of natural urushi and traditional lacquer-art supplies, Urushi Lacquer China provides a direct online source for Chinese urushi and related materials.

Explore our natural raw urushi collection:

https://urushilacquer.com/collections/urushi-lacquer

Sources and Further Reading

1. Zhai, K., Sun, G., Zheng, Y., Wu, M., Zhang, B., Zhu, L. & Hu, Q. The earliest lacquerwares of China were discovered at Jingtoushan site in the Yangtze River Delta. Archaeometry, 2022.
2. Wu, M., Zhang, B., Jiang, L., Wu, J. & Sun, G. Natural lacquer was used as a coating and an adhesive 8000 years ago, by early humans at Kuahuqiao, determined by ELISA. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2018.
3. Fu, Y., Chen, Z., Zhou, S. & Wei, S. Comparative study of the materials and lacquering techniques of the lacquer objects from Warring States Period China. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2020.