漆を「漉す」「漉紙」”Filter” and “filter paper” (Koshi-gami) for lacquer

This time, I often filter lacquer recently, so I decided to summarize it in a blog article.

「漉す」という作業 The work of “filtering”

The work of “filtering” the urushi is to remove the dust mixed in the lacquer.

The following Japanese paper is said to be suitable for straining lacquer.

質がいい Good quality
目の細かい Fine-grained
丈夫 strong

Traditionally, the filtered paper was Yoshino paper in Nara prefecture or Azabu paper in Uenoyama city, Yamagata prefecture. The origin of Azabu paper is said to have been handed down from Yoshino, Nara prefecture, using the technique of making paper. In Uenoyama City, there used to be more than 100 paper-making farmers. Currently, this technology is also designated as a cultural heritage.

In addition, when straining base lacquer such as Sabi-urushi, coarse-grained lawn cloth is also used.

「漉紙」”Filtered paper”

吉野紙 Yoshino-paper

Yoshino paper is Japanese paper made from kozo in Yoshino, Nara prefecture, and the place name is the name of Japanese paper as it is. Yoshino paper here is natural Japanese paper made from natural raw materials.

Yoshino paper has a long history, and has been used as a paper for straining lacquer and oil since the Edo period, taking advantage of its characteristics suitable for filtration.

現在購入可能な「漉紙」Currently available “filter paper”

Currently, I think there are only two types of paper that can be purchased for lacquer.

美吉野紙 Miyoshino paper
新吉野紙 New yoshino paper

Currently, not all Japanese paper for lacquer filtration that can be purchased is natural Japanese paper. It may have been a little cheaper in the old days. Nowadays, natural Japanese paper has become expensive, so I can’t help it. Nowadays, there are products called “Shin-Yoshino Paper” and “Miyoshino Paper” as papers that have artificially been accurate against the roughness of the eyes while retaining the good quality of Yoshino Paper. Made of nylon, the name comes from Yoshino paper.

Both of the strained papers currently available are not natural Japanese paper, so there is not much difference in quality.

There may be a slight difference in the roughness of the eyes when using only one sheet. However, basically, when straining lacquer, it is folded and used in several layers. I’ve used both, but I didn’t feel a big difference in terms of using them in layers.

Currently, it is also used to make various paints other than lacquer, so you can buy “Miyoshino Paper” at lacquer shops or Amazon. Some lacquer shops only handle this “Miyoshino paper” for filtered paper.

“Shin-Yoshino Paper” is not handled by Amazon and seems to be sold only at lacquer shops.

「漉紙」の他の使い方 Other ways to use “filter paper”

There are various ways to use it other than as a strained paper.

塗り刷毛の拭き取り用（→毛羽が立ちにくい）
漆品などを包む、包み紙（数枚重ねると更に丈夫）
折り込んで硬くして、漆を拭う紙

For wiping off brushes (→ Difficult to get fluff)
Wrapping paper for wrapping lacquer products (more durable when several sheets are stacked)
Paper that folds in to make it hard and wipes the lacquer

There may be various other ways to use it. In addition, it seems that the old natural Yoshino paper was also useful as a wrapping paper for ornaments and sweets.

実際の「漉し方」Actual “filtering method”

Of course, if you strain it, the dust will be removed as much as you strain it.

I learned how to filter transparent lacquer such as Roiro lacquer by folding it in two or three (6 layers) if it is about 20 to 50 g. In the case of this amount, I think that you often use a wooden tool called “(Koshi) Uma” by using a container as a saucer.

By the way, “Koshi-uma” is sold at the lacquer shop. You can buy it at any lacquer shop for about 10,000 yen on average.↓

It is appropriate to fold two or three (6 layers) or six (6 layers) to stack, and it is better to increase the number of layers than to increase the number of layers. This is because if you stack them thickly and squeeze them all at once, dust will be pushed out.

★ Fold the paper so that the slippery side is on the outside and the slightly rough side is on the inside.

In my case, I don’t use lacquer in units of tens of grams, so basically I don’t use “strained horses”. Even if you put out too much, it will take time to use up. Since only dust enters in the meantime, it takes time and effort to filter. So, I’m filtering as much as I use. And I’ll do it all by hand.

①必要な大きさに切る、折るCut and fold to the required size
②毛羽立っている切れ端部分は折り込む Fold in the fluffy pieces
③漆を真ん中に置くPut the lacquer in the middle
④くるくると折り込むFold it round and round
⑤漆を絞り出す Squeeze out lacquer

Even at the Urushi shop, it is always filtered after refining, so I think there may be a situation where there is so much garbage from the beginning. But basically, it filters.

数回漉す必要がある時 When you need to filter several times

色漆を作った時
購入した色漆を開封した時
粘度のある漆に漆や樟脳を加えて調整した時

When making colored lacquer
When opening the purchased color lacquer
When lacquer or camphor is added to viscous lacquer to adjust

Especially for colored lacquer, pigment particles are often left as dust, so filter by stacking more sheets or increasing the number of times than transparent lacquer.

Also, as the lacquer gets older, the water will fly off and it will become harder. In that case, mix it with new lacquer or add camphor to soften it. Whenever I do this, I filter.

The lacquer contained in the tube is separated in the tube to some extent, so stir it after taking it out. At this time, dust and dirt in the air may enter, so it is better to strain after stirring.

Also, since the paper used for sale is a basic large size, cut it to the required size and use it. Fold in the fluffy part of the piece to use. Spread the paper, put lacquer on it, roll it up to wrap it, and squeeze it from both ends.

漉紙を絞るときの力加減 Adjusting the force when squeezing the filter paper

If you squeeze it too strongly, it will tear or the grain of the paper will pop out. Then, the filtration becomes meaningless.

自然に漆が和紙を通って流れ出てくるくらいの力と速度
ゆっくり漉すこと
最後まで絞りきらない

The force and speed that lacquer naturally flows out through Japanese paper
Filter slowly
Do not squeeze to the end

Stop when a little filtered lacquer remains in the paper. If you squeeze it too much and try to scrape it with a spatula, paper fibers will come out. If it gets into the filtered lacquer, it will be in a state where there is dust again. The lacquer that remains inside is separated from the strained lacquer, and the next time it is strained, it is set aside and re-strained.

In particular, the lacquer for topcoating should be carefully and repeatedly strained. If you neglect to do this straining work, foreign matter may remain inside, or something may appear when you sharpen it, or there may be various problems. If there is a lot of dust, try filtering it first in addition to cleaning the workplace. In many cases, it is solved by filtering.

In addition, the part with lacquer after straining is called “Koshigara” and contains lacquer, so it is said to be the most effective for dustpan. Use it to wipe and remove dust, then dry and throw it away. Then, cut the non-lacquered part of the paper with scissors, fold it, wipe the lacquer or fold it to make it hard, and reuse it to remove the lacquer that has adhered to the edges.

I am now thanks to the strong teaching from my teachers and seniors about how to handle lacquer, “Don’t waste a drop of lacquer” and “Keep that feeling at all times.” To be honest, sometimes I get tired and tired, and I have to deal with it roughly. While reading the references again, I remember what the teacher said, write it down, and reflect on it. I will always be grateful for a drop of lacquer and will cherish the filtration of lacquer.

I hope this will be an opportunity for you to understand that lacquering is something that requires a lot of care.

参考文献 References

光芸出版編『うるし工芸辞典』.光芸出版,1978
日本漆工協会編『やさしく身につく漆のはなしその１』,1995
加藤寛『図解日本の漆工』.東京美術,2014
熊野谿從『21世紀を支える夢の物質漆のお話』.文芸社,2012
柴田克哉『炎芸術工芸入門講座漆の技法』.阿部出版,2013
十時啓悦、工藤茂喜、西川栄明『漆塗りの技法書』.誠文堂新光社,2015
佐々木英『漆芸の伝統技法』.オーム社,1986

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