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Kanshitsu (7) - Base layer to primer coat.

I am working on bodies made of hemp cloths and urushi (Japanese lacquer) with a technique called kanshitsu.
Illustration of Cross Section
Partial enlargement of a cutaway drawing of kanshitsu (illustration). The order of the procedure is as follows: plaster mold, base, linen, primer, and urushi (Japanese lacquer) for painting.
The previous processes

Kanshitsu (1) - Making plaster molds

I made molds in plaster...

2025.01.26

Kanshitsu (2) - Mold releasing agent.

I applied a release agent to the plasters.

2025.02.20

Kanshitsu (3) - Tonoko-sabi.

I applied tonoko-sabi (fine-grained base paste) ...

2025.04.21

Kanshitsu (4) - Jinoko-sabi.

I applied jinoko-sabi (coarse-grained base paste) ...

2025.04.30

Kanshitsu (5) - Line cloths.

I applied jinoko-sabi (coarse-grained base paste) ...

2025.05.21

Kanshitsu (6) - Wooden parts.

I made the part that receives the lid with...

2025.05.28

Jinoko-sabi (coarse-grained base paste)
After applying a fine linen cloth, jinoko-sabi was applied twice.
After applying a fine linen cloth, jinoko-sabi is applied twice.

After that, it was smoothed with water using a whetstone.
After applying jinoko-sabi, it was smoothed with water using a whetstone.

I shaved the part that receives the lid, making sure that no part protruded from the lid. And I adjusted the sides so that there would be an even amount of space no matter which way the lid was covered.
I shaved the part that receives the lid, making sure that no part protruded from the lid.

I applied urushi (Japanese lacquere) to give it a solid base.
I applied urushi (Japanese lacquere) to give it a harder base.


Tonoko-sabi (fine-grained base paste)
I applied tonoko-sabi twice.
I applied tonoko-sabi (fine-grained base paste) twice.

After that, it was smoothed with water using a whetstone.
After applying tonoko-sabi, it was smoothed with water using a whetstone.

I used a carving knife to the corners, which are difficult to do with a whetstone.
I used a carving knife to the corners, which are difficult to do with a whetstone.


Primer coat
After all surfaces were smooth, I applied the prime coat.
After all surfaces were smooth, I applied the prime coat of urushi (Japanese lacquer).

They became an urushi-like surface.
Two boxes that have been primed.

I am working on two different boxes at the same time.

I summarized it briefly, but it was very difficult to make the base layer that was thin and of the same thickness, and I repeated the same process many times, so these processes took almost a month.
After this, the plaster mold that remains inside is going to be removed from the body.

2025.07.16