Sailor ProGear/1911L Black Lacquer Raden Sazae Shell

Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden) is a decorative technique that uses the iridescent inner layer of abalone shell, turban shell, pearl oyster shell, or other mollusk shells. Mother-of-pearl inlay is divided into two categories depending on the thickness of the shell inlay. Thin shell inlays (usugai, or aogai) have a thickness of less than 0.1 millimeter and are created by sanding down the shell or boiling it and peeling the layers apart. The special beauty of mother-of-pearl inlays comes from the contrast between the jewel-like luster of the shells and the deep tones of the lacquer.