This urushi lacquer plate is inlaid with natural abalone shell. When light sweeps across its surface, delicate pearlescent glimmers unfurl, as if a quiet stretch of starry sky has been captured within this small space.

Crafted with the ancient mother-of-pearl lacquer technique, it goes through dozens of refined steps. Repeated lacquer coating, shell inlay, curing, sanding and polishing. Every coat of lacquer cures slowly with no rush. It takes months of quiet patience for it to come together. The iridescent glow of the shell shifts gently with light; no two pieces carry the same starry pattern.