Niigata lacquerware refers to lacquerware made in the area around Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. The culture of lacquerware began to spread to Niigata in the early Edo period, and by the late Edo period, this was known as one of Japan's leading lacquerware production areas. Lacquerware made in Niigata is characterized by its wide variety of colors and patterns, and some have called the area “a treasure trove of unusual lacquerware.” Bamboo lacquerware, for example, is not seen in other production areas. Bamboo nodes are created with rust during the base coat, and then bamboo skin and patterns are added on top with colored lacquer, resulting in unique patterns that could easily be mistaken for real bamboo.