water, to make the patination solution. Before patination, the metal must be carefully cleaned and prepared. Many Japanese metalsmiths will grate (a type of white Japanese radish) daikon into a paste with 5 parts water and agitate the piece in it as part of their surface preparation. It is unknown exactly what purpose the serves but the metalsmiths believe it helps to prevent daikon tarnish, encourage even coloration, and/or activate the patination solution. When the piece is prepared, the is mixed with vinegar or water and copper sulfate. The is brought rokusho rokusho to a boil and the piece dipped into it. After dipping, the piece is rubbed with paste again diakon and then dipped again. This process is repeated until the desired coloring obtained. Rokusho, particularly makes gold more yellow, silver whiter, copper orange or an orange-red, shakudo blackened, and colored grey depending upon the exact alloy and amount of dipping. shibuichi The Japanese Meiji era was an amazing time for metalsmithing, producing a rainbow of potential colors for metals. and in particular, are still being created in Japan Shakudo shibuichi, as well as abroad by artists and metalsmiths alike due to their beauty and coloration. References Hughes, Richard and Michael Rowe, The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals. London: Crafts Council. 1982. Kelso, Jim. Alloy Basics.” Jim Kelso Artist/Craftsman. July 25, 2012. “Japanese – <http://jimkelso.com/japanalloys.htm> Kogeikai. YASUJIMA, Hisashi. Sept 10, 2004. Tokyo National Museum. July 25, 2012. <http://www.nihon-kogeikai.com/TEBIKI-E/4.html>
water, to make the patination solution. Before patination, the metal must be carefully cleaned and prepared. Many Japanese metalsmiths will grate daikon (a type of white Japanese radish) into a paste with 5 parts water and agitate the piece in it as part of their surface preparation. It is unknown exactly what purpose the daikon serves but the metalsmiths believe it helps to prevent tarnish, encourage even coloration, and/or activate the patination solution. When the piece is prepared, the rokusho is mixed with vinegar or water and copper sulfate. The rokusho is brought to a boil and the piece dipped into it. After dipping, the piece is rubbed with diakon paste again and then dipped again. This process is repeated until the desired coloring obtained. Rokusho, particularly makes gold more yellow, silver whiter, copper orange or an orange-red, shakudo blackened, and shibuichi colored grey depending upon the exact alloy and amount of dipping. The Japanese Meiji era was an amazing time for metalsmithing, producing a rainbow of potential colors for metals. Shakudo and shibuichi, in particular, are still being created in Japan as well as abroad by artists and metalsmiths alike due to their beauty and coloration. References Hughes, Richard and Michael Rowe, The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals. London: Crafts Council. 1982. Kelso, Jim. “Japanese Alloy Basics.” Jim Kelso – Artist/Craftsman. July 25, 2012. <http://jimkelso.com/japanalloys.htm> Kogeikai. YASUJIMA, Hisashi. Sept 10, 2004. Tokyo National Museum. July 25, 2012. <http://www.nihon-kogeikai.com/TEBIKI-E/4.html>