Varnishing a shirasaya

[bobtail44]

I have a shirasaya with a sayagaki written on it which I want to preserve. It was written by a famous person who has passed away and I think it should be preserved. Is it wrong to vanish the shirasaya or would it devalue it? Is there a better way to preserve it? I thought id ask people more knowledgeable before I let loose with a paint brush

 

Cheers,

 

Trent S

[Stephen]

wax?

[bobtail44]

Wouldn't varnish leave a nicer/clearer finish?

 

Trent S

[Stephen]

I cant say mate, was asking too. both may age and change color??? someone who knows will come along

[Brian]

Varnish would yellow with age and probably destroy the writing. Wax would obcsure it, and probably also affect it over time.

I think the best is to do nothing...just keep it protected and don't handle that area except with gloves.

Ian B would be the guy to comment though.

 

Brian

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Trent S

 

I deal in really fugitive objects, textiles and works on paper.

 

UV light is the culprit here.

 

The Western approach is to put the item in an acid free environment within a closed box.

 

Acid free paper etc....

 

Study in subdued light.

 

The Japanese traditional approach is similar.

 

Put the item in a box contained in a Tansu or Kura and only bring it out when you wish to study it.

 

Add no substance or finish that will cause grief later on.

 

Cheers

[bobtail44]

Hi Trent S

 

I deal in really fugitive objects, textiles and works on paper.

 

UV light is the culprit here.

 

The Western approach is to put the item in an acid free environment within a closed box.

 

Acid free paper etc....

 

Study in subdued light.

 

The Japanese traditional approach is similar.

 

Put the item in a box contained in a Tansu or Kura and only bring it out when you wish to study it.

 

Add no substance or finish that will cause grief later on.

 

Cheers

 

Sounds like good advice to me, thanks for that. Guess I can't put it on display with my blades like I wanted to because the room is sunny.

 

Much appreciated,

 

Trent S

[sanjuro]

Trent.

 

As an aside to this thread, I also live in Western Australia. UV is our enemy when it comes to any display of tosogu or koshirae. Avoid if you can, direct sunlight on any of your treasures, particularly our harsh Australian sun.

 

Bobtail.

 

As far as the varnishing of a shirasaya goes, always remember.......Do no harm. Varnish degenerates with time and may pick up the pigment of the ink of the sayagaki and smear it slightly. Wax softens and dissolves the sayagaki. Do nothing but cover the sayagaki with fine rice paper just like the sayashi does when he delivers a new shirasaya. Handle shirasaya with gloves and do not grip directly over the writing with even gloved hands if you can avoid it. All things succumb to time and decay. It cannot be stopped, merely slowed down to the bare and gentlest minimum.

 

Sorry.... I had a semi zen moment there. :D

[Stephen]

[GregD]

The typical "wax" used on a shirasaya is Ibota,the same material used in mikagi(burnishing)described as the waxy excretion of a variety of cicada.It is rubbed on briskly after applied with a soft cloth and a bit of pressure.The sayagaki (if traditional ink is used)will probably not survive this.Just best off storing it safely as others have said.

[bobtail44]

Trent.

 

As an aside to this thread, I also live in Western Australia. UV is our enemy when it comes to any display of tosogu or koshirae. Avoid if you can, direct sunlight on any of your treasures, particularly our harsh Australian sun.

 

Bobtail.

 

As far as the varnishing of a shirasaya goes, always remember.......Do no harm. Varnish degenerates with time and may pick up the pigment of the ink of the sayagaki and smear it slightly. Wax softens and dissolves the sayagaki. Do nothing but cover the sayagaki with fine rice paper just like the sayashi does when he delivers a new shirasaya. Handle shirasaya with gloves and do not grip directly over the writing with even gloved hands if you can avoid it. All things succumb to time and decay. It cannot be stopped, merely slowed down to the bare and gentlest minimum.

 

Sorry.... I had a semi zen moment there. :D

 

Ha ha :D Very good advice, I didn't consider the yellowing of the vanish over time. I guess it's going to be wrapped up in a box

 

Trent S