If you find yourself drawn to lacquerware, we highly recommend a visit to the Urasoe Art Museum. A few pieces of the Okinawan lacquerware that have been labeled as Tangible Cultural Assets can be found on display here.
There are two different ways to produce mother of pearl, which determine how iridescent the shell will be. One way is to lightly grind at the surrounding shell, and another is to boil the shell and slowly peel it away layer by layer. Over time you may be able to distinguish the difference between the two methods just by looking at the finished product.