bachiru

{{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}}

{{Nihongo|Bachiru|撥鏤}} is the Japanese art technique and Japanese craft of engraving dyed ivory.

Bachiru originated in Tang dynasty China, and was introduced to Japan in the 8th century C.E.{{cite book|author=Louis Frédéric|title=Japan enciklopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA66|accessdate=3 May 2013|year=2002|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-01753-5|page=66}} The ivory pieces to be decorated are first stained with pigment (usually red, green or blue). Ivory does not take colour easily and has to be put through a process of repeated boiling and soaking in dye in order to achieve the appropriate hue.{{cite web|title=Bachiru|url=http://www.japanartsandcrafts.com/bachiru.html|publisher=JapanARTSandCRAFTS.com|accessdate=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123132859/http://japanartsandcrafts.com/bachiru.html|archive-date=23 January 2013|url-status=dead}} Images are incised on the coloured ivory using a technique known as keri-bori ("kick engraving").{{cite book|author=木村法光|title=正倉院宝物にみる家具・調度|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fr0PAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=3 May 2013|year=1992|publisher=紫紅社|page=80|isbn=978-4-87940-520-3 }} The stained surface is scraped away to reveal the ivory underneath.{{cite book|author=Frieda Kay Fall|title=Art objects: their care and preservation: a reference for museums and collectors|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=309IAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=3 May 2013|year=1967|publisher=Museum Publications|page=95}} Additional detail is then sometimes added in another colour, using a fine paintbrush.

The art of bachiru was largely lost until its rediscovery in the 20th century by Yoshida Fumiyuki (1915-2004). Yoshida was recognised as a Living National Treasure for his work with this art medium.{{cite book|title=The Japan Foundation Newsletter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttUwAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=3 May 2013|year=1985|publisher=Japan Foundation|page=xxvii}}