Good Advice sought, cleaning urushi koshirae

[edzo]

Hello to all,

I have recently come into a number of nihonto blades mounted in various urushi saya, of wakazashi, katana, tachi, tanto and yari. They have been in storage for many years and need to be cleaned. I am afraid to attempt a simple cleaning without soliciting an informed opinion and advice. Can anyone advise me how they clean their similar items and what precautions i should take?

 

Thank you, respectfully

Ed F

[kusunokimasahige]

Her is a file on conserving Urushi.

 

 

1996 Bishop museum.

 

KM

Urushiconserving.pdf

[Bugyotsuji]

Going back through some old photos. Bought this a while ago and it came with a flat Urushi drinking dish. Gave it a bit of a clean with a dab of magic gunk, the stuff they use for glass, mirrors, car paintwork etc.

[Marius]

Excuse me, what is the "magic gunk", please?

[Bugyotsuji]

Now I need to be clear that I am not recommending this in any way, but when I am in Japan I have used this with good results. What is good for an expensive car shine... What will happen ten years down the road I have no idea.

 

I would suggest using it (or something similar) on experimental bits, but I would not use it on my very best pieces. When in the UK I have something similar, but cannot remember the name right now, so I have called it magic gunk. It cleans, fills in tiny scratches in the surface, protects and brings up a wonderful shine. It lists 'resin' in the applicable surfaces.

 

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%97%E3%83 ... 2_edpp_url

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

NMB member DaveT is trained in the application and restoration of Urushi.

 

http://nihon-no-katchu.com/

 

Cheers

[Bugyotsuji]

Thank you Malcolm.

 

I forgot to mention that the guy who sold me the magic gloop said you should always use a microfibre/fiber cloth with it. His words, but he was not talking about lacquer. I used it all over the house and fell down the stairs after getting some on the soles of my slippers.

 

As to the Fuji San lidded Otoso pourer above, I only wanted the little dish but the dealer said I had to buy the whole box with the kettle included. As a sweetener he threw in a delightful little porcelain ochoko depicting a Koi and Sakura petals.

 

So how much is all of that? I asked, scratching my head in bewilderment. A thousand yen, he replied. (Well, it was New Year.)

[kaigunair]

Thank you Malcolm.

 

I forgot to mention that the guy who sold me the magic gloop said you should always use a microfibre/fiber cloth with it. His words, but he was not talking about lacquer. I used it all over the house and fell down the stairs after getting some on the soles of my slippers.

 

As to the Fuji San lidded Otoso pourer above, I only wanted the little dish but the dealer said I had to buy the whole box with the kettle included. As a sweetener he threw in a delightful little porcelain ochoko depicting a Koi and Sakura petals.

 

So how much is all of that? I asked, scratching my head in bewilderment. A thousand yen, he replied. (Well, it was New Year.)

 

That's a deal! I would have been interested in the fuji kettle....