The lacquer used in Japan is a viscous brown liquid that comes from the Urushi tree. The finish produced is exceptionally durable, easy to maintain, and attractive. Traditional Japanese techniques for producing a lacquer finish are described, including sealing the wood pores with a paste filler, applying the 18 coats of lacquer (in the example described in the article), and sanding between each coat. The actual color and gloss of a finish depend on the number of coats, the amount of sanding between coats, and the way the paste filler is used. The final color may range from dark-walnut matte to high gloss, translucent reddish-orange.