Methods and techniques of kintsugi
This is an old Imari plate with 2 cracks. Both of them can be seen on the face and back. The crack at the rim needs to be completed so that I can take the pieces out and then repair them. The crack at the foot of the plate is a problem since it can’t be easily completed so may need to be treated in place.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows step 6, adding lacquer to sabi in order to harden it and make it easier to work.
I didn’t do the original repair on this plate and don’t know how long ago it was done. I have cleaned the sabi up and want to reapply more so before doing so I am applying lacquer to both make it harder and help in adhesion for the new layer I will apply. My studio is cold and low humidity so the lacquer is thick and doesn’t apply well in the video.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows step 4, third hardening of gold on Karatsu tea bowl.. I applied the first hardening lacquer on Oct. 2, the second on Oct. 3, and now this hardening on Oct. 6th. I think it will take at least 1 more hardening before it is ready to polish. To see step 4 see https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows step 2, first application of hardening lacquer to #4 gold to a Karatsu tea bowl. I left the bowl in a muro for about 1 week to allow the red lacquer/gold to dry. After thinning the lacquer with turpentine I apply it and then take the excess off with tissue.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows applying #4 gold to a Karatsu tea bowl. I am applying it over red lacquer which I then let cure for 30 minutes.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows final finishing of gold on a Buddhist figure. I applied gold and left it to cure for 1 week. Now in the video I do a quick brushing to get the excess, recoverable gold off and then use air to blow away the rest off the very porous surface.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows step 1b, applying gold to a Tibetan tsa-tsa figure. I applied red lacquer and left it to cure for about 30 minutes before doing the gold application. To see step 1b see https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This video shows masking a Tibetan tsa-tsa figure. The stone is porous with a lot of holes in the surface. The gold will adhere to the stone surface and get into the holes so it is better to mask around the target area.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
I have been working on this stone statue for quite a while. It has mugiurushi and several layers of sabi holding it together. The stone is very soft and it is difficult to work the sabi without further damaging the stone. I decided to ‘dig’ a trench in the sabi and then apply gold to that. The ‘trench’ is slowly becoming visible, I figure several more hours and it will be ready for some middle black.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
This is a work in progress, a buncheong stem cup from the Joseon period. It is very damaged all over and is fragile so I hope I can repair it. The inlay in some areas is also damaged. The sabi I applied quite a while ago and is fully cured.
For more on traditional, lacquer based kintsugi see kintugi.com or https://zac.wnz.mybluehost.me/website_a640e8d6/?page_id=225
