CurtisR Posted August 28, 2015 Report Posted August 28, 2015 Greetings All! I have a saya (pictures are of it and pattern, in urushi) that is very "dull" due to both age, I believe. It contained a koto blade - iron fittings. I've washed with light soap & water but I'd like it to be a bit less "weathered"...not high-glss of course, but perhaps to seal and protect urushi still there and give a little 'luster' (yes, THAT would be the term). Suggestions please? (ps - new kurigata is being made from ox-bone now...it came without) Sincerely, Curtis R. Quote
b.hennick Posted August 28, 2015 Report Posted August 28, 2015 Ox Bone would be unusual. Horn is more typical. Enjoy the lacquer as it is. Quote
CurtisR Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Posted August 28, 2015 Sorry Mr. Hennick, once more, I am mistaken..it IS being made in horn... :-). Just as koiguchi. Curtis R. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted August 28, 2015 Report Posted August 28, 2015 I agree with barry; leave the lacquer alone. Grey 1 Quote
Peter Bleed Posted August 28, 2015 Report Posted August 28, 2015 Making any suggestion in this kind of situation is likely to generate strongly negative responses from somebody, but... I have found that plane old Nevr Dull does a really nice job of cleaning up old lacquer. It is non abrasive, but from my experience it cleans lacquered surfaces, romove gunk, and add luster. Peter 1 Quote
CurtisR Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Posted August 28, 2015 Thank you Peter - I also read on the Denver Art Museum's page about care of lacquer. I'm guessing perhaps those above (venerable, to say the least) mean that a 'novice' should not play with.... I will also consult my friend, a saya-shi, and then go with one of the two :-) Many thanks and good luck to all in the future! Curtis R. Quote
Ford Hallam Posted August 29, 2015 Report Posted August 29, 2015 Old lacquer that has lost it's lustre can be revived with a wipe of almond oil. The lacquer becomes dry over time ( the surface develops micro cracks) if not properly cared for so a little oil can help revive the surface. In fact with the addition of ground/powdered calcined deer horn oil is what is used to do the final polish on lacquer. If it's just a plain black finish you might use something similar with the oil. Tin or titanium oxides are also used by urushi artists today. 3 Quote
CurtisR Posted September 3, 2015 Author Report Posted September 3, 2015 Dear Mr. Hallam, I apologize for my late reply...thank you very much for your suggestions - I actually had GREAT results with just a bit of oil...many thanks! Soon I'll have the tsuka back with new wrap (done by an acquaintance of yours in Kashiwa-shi) and it will look amazing. As I said, the idea isn't to "restore" but to preserve :-). I love following your work as well, and perhaps one day (if it does well at Shinsa), I will ask you to make tsuba! IF you ever have time...but patience rules out all LOL. Sincerely, Curtis Richter Quote
Ford Hallam Posted September 4, 2015 Report Posted September 4, 2015 Hi Curtis good to hear it worked out nicely. :-) Quote
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