Yunxian Raw Lacquer

Yunxian Raw Lacquer

　　Yunxian has relatively abundant raw lacquer resources. Raw lacquer comes from the lacquer tree, a broad-leaved species. Lacquer trees are mainly distributed in towns and townships such as Nanhua, Wufeng, Liubei, Liaowa, Chadian, Baoxia, and Yetan. Lacquer can be harvested once the trees reach maturity, with a one-year interval between harvests. During the tapping season, harvesting generally takes place annually from the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth lunar month to the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth lunar month. When tapping (or "cutting" lacquer), lacquer farmers first make several horseshoe-shaped incisions in the bark of the lacquer tree. After allowing these incisions to release sap for two to three days—during which a resin pocket forms—they can then cut the pockets to collect the lacquer. Subsequently, the lacquer is collected every two days. After harvesting, the raw lacquer is stored in wooden barrels, stirred evenly with a thin stick, and then placed in the sun to dry. Once the thin surface layer of the lacquer disappears, indicating that the moisture content has evaporated to an acceptable level, the barrel is sealed with oil-soaked and softened parchment paper. It is then either stored or sold with the lid tightly closed. Yunxian raw lacquer is divided into two types: large-tree lacquer and small-tree lacquer. The highest quality lacquer is described as being “smooth as water, shiny as a mirror, and stringy as a hook.” The average annual production of raw lacquer is about 2,150 kilograms, with a record high annual yield of 7,300 kilograms.