One of the materials you use in kintsugi is flour. It is used as an additive in a mixture called mugiurushi, mugi = flour, urushi = lacquer. Mugirushi is used as a “glue” to stick things back together. Regular, white wheat flour is what I use. In Japan there is a type called middle gluten which works best for me.
Tag Archives: Kintsugi materials
Kintsugi materials, palette knife
A wooden, straight palette knife is traditionally used in kintsugi. There are a couple of qualities of wood and thickness with the thinner one being of higher quality.
Kintsugi materials, palette knife
Kintsugi materials, metal holder
This is a tool used for sprinkling the metal on the lacquer. You load it up in the open end and the metal comes out the meshed end. The mesh stops any debris in the metal from coming out.
Kintsugi materials, metal holder
Kintsugi materials, mixing oil
This is an oil that is mixed with either roiromigakiko or ishiko for final polishing of the metal. It is possible to use other oils but this one doesn’t really gum up or heat up as much as others.
Kintsugi materials, mixing oil
Kintsugi materials, charcoal
Charcoal is more of a makie material but can be used in kintsugi as a cleaning powder. You use it to clean the surface of the piece after you have mixed it with some water.
Kintsugi materials, charcoal
Kintsugi materials, roiro migakiko
Kintsugi materials, roiro mikagiko
Roiro migakiko is a fine powder that is mixed with oil to polish graded metal to a final finish. It is finer and more expensive than the other polishing powder, ishiko.
Kintsugi materials, ishiko
Kintsugi materials, ishiko
Ishiko is a type of powdered stone that is mixed with oil to polish graded metals but not fine powdered metals. It is rougher and cheaper than the other polishing powder, roiromigakiko.
Kintsugi materials, hemp fabric
Kintsugi materials, hemp fabric
Hemp fabric can be used to strengthen large fill areas. It is embedded into the sabi mix and care must be taken so it is completely covered by sabi and the threads don’t stick out.
Kintsugi materials, brushes
Kintsugi materials, brushes
There are several types of brushes for kintsugi. For most lines a medium brush will suffice, for getting the finest lines either a fine or very fine brush will be necessary. All are natural fiber and handmade in Japan. They should be cleaned with vegetable oil and stored with a very thin coating of oil which needs to be removed before use.
Kintsugi materials, polishing tools
Kintsugi materials, polishing tools
These tools work for polishing fine powder metals and some of the finer graded metals. They are best for thin line polishing. If you try to polish wide areas it is more difficult to get a good, smooth finish.
