Raden

is a Japanese term for one of the decorative techniques used in traditional crafts and woodwork. It refers to a method of inserting nacre into a carved surface of lacquer or wood. The basic technique of originated around 3500 years ago in Egypt and later spread along the Mediterranean coast. It was subsequently introduced to Japan from the Tang dynasty during the Nara period.

The kanji for means 'shell' and means 'inlaid'. is a term used only for the technique or work of inlaying thin layers of pearl shells. In Japan, the technique of embedding the mother of pearl of shellfish in lacquer is called , while the technique of embedding metal or ivory is called .

The term may also be used for similar traditional work from Korea called (), from China called (), or in countries in South-East Asia such as Vietnam, and for modern work done in the West. Provided by Wikipedia