Have you ever wondered about the secret behind the beauty of Urushi? Look no further, this video will tell you the secret behind Urushi!
"The Urushi Pearl Fountain Pen was a collaborative project between The Edison Pen Company and Ernest Shin of Hakumin Urushi Kobo. This Limited Edition Fountain Pen has only 20 pieces worldwide and is no longer being produced.
Karanuri is the distinct Urushi technique used with these limited pens, one of several techniques considered Tsugaru-nuri. After the meticulous application of the first layers of Urushi (the same used for standard unadorned Urushi pieces), an uneven layer of Urushi is applied using a mixture of Urushi and egg whites, which is a sticky, gel-like mixture that resists running and dripping prior to curing. The mixture of egg whites and Urushi is carefully applied ensuring that the the desired patterns are created but do not result in the wrinkles.
The first layer of the naka-nuri - 9 coats of naka-nuri - is applied just prior to the video. These Urushi layers are applied to give substance and strength to the Urushi prior to applying the upper layers and/or decorative layers. The first of these layers is the kuro-naka-nuri-urushi (black middle layer lacquer). Kuro-naka-nuri-urushi is a middle quality black lacquer made by adding iron hydroxide to transparent lacquer. A chemical reaction changes the color of the lacquer without significantly changing the consistency the way pigments would. After the meticulous applying of an even layer of Urushi, the pens are mounted to the base and left to sit for about 30 minutes. Any if at all, particle of dusts are then carefully removed with a sharp tool as these particles may prevent the Urushi from curing evenly. The Urushi is then cured in the furo for a day.
Move on to the video, the Shibo Urushi step is the first step that is unique to the the decorative technique for these pens. The technique involves applying a layer of Shibo Urushi unevenly. Shibo Urushi is Urushi mixed with a stiffener or thickener, in this case, egg whites. Once the egg whites are thoroughly mixed in with the Urushi, it is traditionally applied with a special perforated spatula. However, to give the completed pen a distinctive look, the Shibo Urushi on these pens were applied with a palette knife.
Disclaimer: I do now claim ownership of this video.
All copyrights go to the original owner, Hakumin Urushi Kobo.
26 май 2018
