Sunday, October 18, 2009

Urushi Techniques & Tools


Applying the seshimeurushi undercoat.

Mixing honshu red pigment with shuaiurushi. (Cinnabar pigment also works well.)

Thoroughly crushing the pigment into the shuai and honshu.

Placing the mixture on filter paper.

Wringing out all remaining particles of pigment.

Coating the bore. Apply in several layers as thin as possible to prevent chipping. Place in room with high humidity (called muro or furo) and dry while turning at regular intervals. The colors of the paint will change because of contact with the air. But as time passes they will return to their original color (according to Kitahara.)

Coating the finger holes.