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Lacquer
The use of lacquer in paintings has been something
that the Japanese borrowed from neighboring China and perfected.
Japanese lacquer first made its debut in the 7th century, but
it was around the 15th century that the material became known
for its decorative purposes.
The art of gold and silver interspersed
with lacquer to breathe life into a room décor is
nothing new. The Japanese are the ones credited for adding
the combination
to paintings
and by the 18th century, it was refined and became popular
among home collectors.
There are three types of ways that
the sprinkling can be done. They include:
- Togadashi – A process in which
fine metal and pigment powders are applied to wet lacquer.
The lacquer is then polished
for a glistening effect to certain parts of the paintings
and pure clear lacquer is added when the painting requires
a mirror-
like effect.
- Hiramakie – Thick gold powder is
sprinkled on the lacquer which is later polished
and burnished to give the
painting
an embossed look.
- Takamakie'- This is similar to
Hiramakie but the difference is that it is mixed with charcoal
before the gold
powder layer is applied.
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