Urushi Saya Nuri

[DaveT]

I've taken a detour from katchu restoration and am experimenting with different urushi nuri effects. 

There are some fine craftsman that offer real urushi-nuri finishes on saya, I'm not trying to bust in on the action. What I'm attempting to do is explore techniques that allow a more artist abstract finish.

Here are some examples of test boards that I produced this week, nothing special, and i will need to make some sculpting tools to create more uniform lines.. For over six months the shibo-nuri technique has been a complete flop, then I was told to reduce the humidity in the furo, amazingly it all dried. if anyone would like to suggest some odd or different finishes I would be very grateful and also will give them a try. 

[Robert Mormile]

Hi Dave,

 

One thing you might consider is using antique Japanese stencils.  They are readily available and not expensive.  I have zero experience working with urushi but it occurred to me that you might be able to lay down a pattern using these.  Here are some stencils I quickly pulled off the Internet.  Another idea would be to use the stencils to apply wax over a primer.  Then a color over the entire saya.  After removing the wax you could seal in clear urushi.  Looking at the tools / process used for washi paper making might be of interest as well. 

 

Just throwing around some ideas. Best of luck with the project,

Robert

[DaveT]

Katagami, I make these stencils for printing egawa, they were used back in the day, not sure about how they would adapt to the curvature of a saya.

 

Sabi urushi is not waterproof, I was quickly shown a technique where the sabi is used for the design, then covered in urushi. When cut back with water the design is washed out.