Abstract
In Japan lacquer made of the latex of Rhus verniciflua was used since 9000 cal B.P. of the Earliest Jomon Period. Since this period many examples of lacquer ware and remains of lacquer processing have been found throughout Japan. However, there was no botanical evidence that Rhus verniciflua trees grew in Japan. Recently, fossil woods of R. verniciflua were reported at several sites. Rhus fossils have been identified into several species groups based on qualitative features, but the distinction between R. trichocarpa and R. verniciflua was not studied critically. By comparing mature woods of these two species and studying ontogenetic trends in R. verniciflua, we found that the wood of R. verniciflua tends to be semi-ring-porous with larger vessels and wider rays up to 4 cells wide, while that of R. trichocarpa tends to be ring-porous. Re-identification of Rhus fossil woods so far reported based on these features showed that R. verniciflua grew in middle to northern Honshu since the Early Jomon Period. Wood of R. verniciflua was used as stakes, boards, or bowls, and this tree seemed to have been planted close to settlements for lacquer collection and timber usage since that period.
