The traditional craft of Takamakie has been around for over 170 years. Patterns are painted on lacquered wood products using a brush dipped in various colored lacquers mixed with whetstone powder, creating raised designs with great texture and visual interest. The delicately painted plants and insects have a sense of dynamism, as if they could move at any moment, and the gloss of the lacquer shines with colorful gold and silver decorations. Like so many other craft traditions, Takamakie lacquerware techniques have been passed down from generation to generation.