Saya can be finished with either real lacquer (Urushi) or synthetic lacquer (Kashu) in a gloss or stippled finish (Ishime). We offer colors such as black, brown or red plus variegated finishes such as mottled or Aogai (crushed abalone shell). Real Urushi costs approximately two and a half times what a Kashu lacquer costs, since it is much more difficult to work with. For the main part, synthetic lacquers are quite acceptable today and they appear virtually the same as the real Urushi.