This lacquerware has been produced continuously in Takayama, an ancient capital of Gifu Prefecture. It is mainly made from Kiso cypress, known as the king of wood, and is characterized by the fact that it is not painted with colored lacquer such as black or vermilion, nor with any painting such as maki-e or chinkin, Instead, it is painted with transparent lacquer in colors such as amber or tortoiseshell, making the most of the natural beauty of the wood grain. It is said to have started in the Keicho era, about 400 years ago.