Tonoko: Iron Ochre Pulverized for Japanese Lacquer Groundwork (after Rein 1889)

Japanese lacquerers build a hard ground under the lacquer from a powder they call to-no-ko. Rein, who studied the workshops in the 1870s, names it plainly: iron ochre powder. Stirred with water to a stiff paste and tempered with raw lacquer, it becomes the kiri-ko and sabi grounds, and the sabi putty of kintsugi. Result: tonoko, iron ochre ground to a fine powder. Source: J. J. Rein, The Industries of Japan (1889), pp. 354 and 358. Rein says only 'pulverized'; mortar and sieve are ours. Picture drawn by Youblob.

初学者

2 hours

说明

Pulverize the ochre

Crush and grind dry iron ochre in a stone mortar. Ours: until it is a fine, even powder.

此步骤所需材料：

生赭石1 as required

所需工具：

石制研钵与研杵

Sift fine

Ours: pass the powder through a fine sieve and grind the coarse rest again. Keep it dry in a closed jar.

所需工具：

细筛

带盖玻璃罐

Check: a stiff paste

A little stirred with water should make a smooth, stiff paste, as for kiri-ko, where it is then tempered with raw lacquer, a little brick dust and paste.

所需工具：