Here is a very damaged porcelain figurine from the Edo period. I got it because the face is outstanding and I like pieces that have gone through a hard time. The piece has been dropped on its head and had it glued back on, the left hand has been lost, the right foot too. The sleeves of the kimono on both sides have been broken and partially repaired on one side. It will take a long time to get back together.
Here are 3. The first one is a handle reconstruction and the next 2 are chips on the edge.
This video shows step #2, the first application of #5 silver and the removal of it as the first step in hardening the silver. See this page for the steps, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
Application of sabi to fishing net weights to reconstruct missing pieces and fix edge chips on these Meiji era fishing net weights.
This video has no audio. It shows the second half of step 1, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225 This is the second application of gold.
This video has no audio. It shows the second half of step 1, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225 application of gold over a red lacquer base.
This video has no audio. It shows step 1, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225 application of red lacquer in preparation for gold.
This video has no audio. It shows the second half of step 1, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225 application of gold over a red lacquer base.
This video has no audio. It shows step 1, https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225 application of red lacquer in preparation for gold.
Black lacquer is a refined lacquer with color added, it has similar urushiol and water content to red lacquer if it is a top black, if it is a middle black the content may be slightly lower. Top and middle lacquers are just as they sound, top are of sufficient quality to be used as a top, exposed coating, middle lacquers are of a quality that they require a top layer of lacquer to cover them.
The schedule for tapping lacquer is very detailed, running from June – November and involves starting on the sunny side of the tree close to the ground and slowly moving the score marks around and up the trunk. The final stages of harvesting involve chopping the tree down and splitting the limbs to scrape out the lacquer. This final procedure gives an especially strong adhesive lacquer called seshime. The quality and amount of sap obtained is dependent on the person doing the tapping. The new tree will sprout from the stump.
The schedule below is from a manual on tapping.
Middle of June to middle of July. Hatsuurushi Tree is slightly scored, flow is minimal.
Middle of July to third week of August. Moriurushi. This is when the best quality sap is collected.
Middle of August to third week of September. Osourushi and/or urame, tome, and edaurushi.
Middle black lacquer is used over both sabi, (jinoko or tonoko/lacquer mix) and mugiurushi, (flour/lacquer mix) as a layer to give you a smooth finish. Without a middle layer of lacquer it is very difficult to get a smooth enough finish to successfully apply a top layer of lacquer and then metal. Middle lacquer is not as hard as top lacquer.
