caution ! Here, we will be mending the chipped rim using 《Kanshitsu Kintsugi 》method. Will be using real Urushi, so some people may get a rash. Using rubber gloves maybe a good idea.
Will be focusing on the part where filing down the base material and filling up with putty and then shaving the filled in putty to ideal shape.
What is 《Kanshitsu Kintsugi》？
First of all, let me explain what 《Kintsugi》is. 《Kintsugi 》is a Japanese Traditional Technique of mending a broken vessel with Urushi, Japanese Sumac lacqure. Originally we put together the broken pieces with Urushi, fill in the holes or the cracks with Urushi, then coat it over with Urushi, and then cover with gold or silver powder for finish. (When sprinkling the gold (silver ) powder, we use the term “Kinko (Ginko) wo maku.”) .
On the other hand, this modern technique, 《Kanshitu Kintsugi》, we will use more modern material, such as resin, glue and/or putty along with Ursuhi. In that way it will save both time and working process.
About the round bowl
- Artist of the round bowl: Naoto Okada
- Characteristics of the round bowl: White round bowl with rim. Shiny glaze.
- Size: DIA.192mm / H 50mm
- Condition: Chipped rim. size of the chip 10×6mm
This round bowl by Naoto Okada surely looks ideal when using. Just look at its size and dept.
Good for serving salads and stews and many more.
Can you see the rim where it’s been chipped?
↑This is how it looks like from the back. This size and type of chipping can be mended easily by yourself. Please have a try.
step 01 Base surface preparation
Tools you need in 《Kanshitsu Kintsugi》for surface preparation:
②③Leouter diamond bit. (You can find them at DIY stores.)
①Diamond file.
▶︎ How o customize diamond bit.(not linked yet)
First, lets file down the rough edges.
File down inside the red dotted line.
step 02 Fill in with epoxy putty.
Tools and materials you need for filling.
- Tools: ② work surface/board (clear file would do.) ③ spatula (Kokuso-Bera)(▶︎How to make your own Kokuso-Bera.)
- Material: ① Rubber gloves ⑤ Epoxy putty ③ Cling film ④Turpentine oils
Epoxy putty I am using this time is epoxy putty from “CEMEDINE” for woodcraft. It is very soft and easy to handle.
Using epoxy putty, fill in a deep hole or large missing parts.
Micro small holes or a small gap, we will use epoxy paste. ▶︎ 《Kantan Kintusgi》How to make and use epoxy paste.
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- ① 使う分だけビニールを剥がす
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- ② ヘラまたはカッターでカッツ！
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- ③ 練る練る練る寝る？（1分くらい）
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- ④ 色むらがなくなったらオッケー
- Take out the amount you will be using.
- Using spatula or a cutter, cut out the amount you will actually be using.
- This putty is consisted with two layers of different putty. We must mix these two very well.Using a rubber gloves, mix them for about 1-2 minutes.
- When the two colours seem mixed and cannot spot the difference, its done.
For those who woud like to see more in details, please check ▶︎ 《Kantan Kintsugi》How to use epoxy putty.
note Try to finish all the process within 10 minutes. ( Otherwise the putty will stat to harden and it will be tricky to handle.)
note However, if the amount of the two putty are uneven, it will not get harden. Once I mixed it with uneven ratio and it did not get harden after a week.
Applying the putty to the chipped rim.
Pick a small amount of putty on tip of the spatula.
Fill in the parts with putty. Make sure you leave no air gap holes.
Fill in the putty small amount at a time.
Fill in until the gap is completely filled.
Put cling film where you have applied the putty.
Make sure you cover all the putty part.
Using your thumb and pointy finger, press the putty from top of the cling film.
Press and push the putty in the gap completely.
After that, shape the putty using your finger.
Putty will become solid with the cling film on. However if you wish to take it off, please peel the cling film off gently as possible and do not pull the putty to deform.
I may have applied the putty too much, oh well.
It can be shaved off with a engraving knife when its dried. Epoxy putty is so easy to shave.
Ideally the outline of the putty is smoothly connected to the vessel rim. It may not be easy as it sounds. I suggest putting more putty is better than less putty. If less, you may have to apply the putty again.
Even if it says it will take 20 minutes to dry and get solid, taking more time to dry the better. 1 to 2 hours, even up to a day, the putty will harden and it will be easier to shave.
step 03 Shaving and file epoxy putty
Tools you need in shaving 《Sabi Urushi》 ▶︎ Recommended knives to use in 《Kintsugi》.
- Tools: ① Surgical Knife ② art knife with curving blade ③ Large cutter knife ④ Chisel knife(Hiramaru blade) ⑤ Curving cutter knife shown on the photo bellow.
I personally and highly recommend this ④chisel knife. It makes it so much easier working with this, and when the tools are amazing, it makes the whole process so much fun.
▶︎ How to customize chisel knife for 《Kintsugi》.(not liked yet)
For alternative plan, please look for ⑤ 障子紙用丸刃カッター（Shoujigami-yo maruha cutter; am art cutter especially made for cutting Japanese traditional Shouji paper.) You may find them at DIY store Shouji repapering area. (They weren’t in cutter and knives area.)(This information is only useful if you are living in Japan.)
Apply the back of the chisel knife’s blade to the vessel and use as the reference surface.
If you shave it too much, you will have to put the additional putty again, so be extra careful at this part.
Shave from top to bottom and right to left, and try to make it to level the same surface as the original vessel.
Preferably try using the chisel knife to create the surface outline.
If you are not t chisel knife person, let’s stop it there and move on to filing with sand paper.
Next step, we will move on to wet sanding using wet sand paper.
Tools to use for 《Sabi Urushi》.
- Tools: ③ Small dish ( for water) ④ Waste cloth ⑤ Scissors (Only for sandpaper usage .)
- Materials: ① Water proof sandpaper (I used #600) ② Water
Note 1 If you have not shaved the putty as expected, then use waterproof sandpaper(#240) and file down to its needs. Then change the sandpaper to #600〜#800 and file down.
Note 2 It will damage the scissors when cutting the sandpaper. So use cheap one or maybe old one which is already damaged and no good cutting normal papers.
- Tools to use when filing with sandpaper.
- First cut the sandpaper 1cm ×1cm
- fold them in three.
- Dip it in the water in the dish.
Try to file only the putty part and not the original vessel. However because the cracked part is so small, it will be amazingly difficult. Never mind if you do.
Looking good.
Next, let’s move on to 《Urushi Nuri》（Painting Urushi)
