Kinma is a decorative lacquerware technique. The name can also be written using alternative characters such as 金間, 金磨, or 金馬. Originating in regions such as Chiang Mai in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (formerly Burma), the technique was introduced to China where it became known as "tianqi" (填漆). In Japan, it was adopted and appreciated by tea masters, who used it for items like kōgō (incense containers) and jikiro (lidded food containers).
In the late Edo period, Tamakaji Zōkoku (1805–1869) of Takamatsu studied and reproduced this technique, creating outstanding works. His innovations laid the foundation for what became a flourishing local craft tradition that continues to thrive in the region today.
The base material is usually rantai（藍胎）— a framework woven from bamboo. Onto this, lacquer is applied, and designs are carved into the surface using fine blades. These incised lines are then filled with colored lacquer—typically red, blue, yellow, and other hues—and subsequently polished. Sometimes, an additional layer of lacquer is applied over the filled lines and then polished again to reveal the design beneath.
The decorative motifs often feature small flowers, leaves, zodiac animals (the twelve signs), or human figures, intricately arranged to form dense, continuous patterns that cover the surface without leaving empty space.