Historical background of use of lacquer, the sequence of coating, including a description of <i>makie</i>, and the chemistry of lacquer curing are discussed. Preparation of the <i>seshime</i> lacquer is described, as well as the chemistry of the urushiol. Chemically urushiol is similar to poison ivy; treatment of allergy to the lacquer with raw river crab is explained with respect to the copper amine. Whether lacquer is black or clear depends upon where the plants are grown; Chinese red lacquer was colored with cinnabar.