is a Japanese term for one of the decorative techniques used in traditional crafts and woodwork. It refers to a method of inserting a board-like material, which is a cut out part of the mother of pearl inside the shell, into the carved surface of lacquer or wood, or a craft made by using this method. The kanji for means 'shell' and means 'inlaid'. is a term used only for the technique or work of inlaying thin layers of pearl shells. In Japan, the technique of embedding the mother of pearl of shellfish in lacquer is called , while the technique of embedding metal or ivory is called . The basic technique of originated in Egypt around 3500 BC, and the technique spread along the Mediterranean coast. There is a theory that the technique of in the East was introduced from Persia in the Sasanian dynasty to China, and another theory that it started in the Yin Dynasty, and the former theory is now widely accepted. By the Tang Dynasty, Chinese craftsmanship had reached a very mature level, especially lacquer-backed on bronze mirrors, which was a treasure of craftsmanship in this period. Bronze mirrors with lacquer backs have been excavated from Tang tombs in Shanxian County and Luoyang, Henan Province. The basic technique of was introduced into Japan during the Nara period from the Tang Dynasty. In Japan, had been used in combination with Japanese various techniques since the Heian period, but declined in the Muromachi period. From the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period, many Japanese lacquerware decorated with and attracted European people, and were exported through the Nanban trade via Portuguese and Spanish in response to the request of the Society of Jesus. In the Edo period, many pieces of Japanese lacquerware were exported to royalty and nobility in Europe through Dutch East India Company and private traders. The lacquerware exported during the Edo period put more emphasis on artistic expression by using gold powder lavishly than . In the 19th century, Japanese lacquerware with were exported again. The term may also be used for similar traditional work from Korea or countries in South-East Asia such as Vietnam, or for modern work done in the West. Techniques of production There are many ways that is produced, with all techniques classed under three main categories: (using thick shell pieces), (using much thinner pieces), and (the thinnest application of shell