Making glue for hanging scrolls

In last month’s blog, we introduced the process of changing the water for old glue.

The process of making the original glue, which is essential for the finishing of a hanging scroll, is called “nori taki” (cooking the glue).

Our mounting artist, Atsushi Mukasa, is a member of the Hyosuikai, an Edo mounting research group,

these process is done once every two years.

We have a regular tradition of having a “paste cooking” event once every two years.

The details are summarized in the Hyosuikai blog of February 17, ” Making the glue those is indispensable for mounting “.

Please take a look at the Omoteshikai blog on February 17 for more details.

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The glue I made two years ago has gone bad, so this time I decided to hedge my bets,

So this time, as a risk hedge, I decided to store the glue in two smaller jars.

If one of them goes bad, the other one will survive.

these is the glue right after it was cooked.

It is brought back to the workshop and left to cool overnight.

these is what it looks like inside the two jars.

This time, I decided to use a different storage method for each jar.

First, the wet method. I poured water up to the top of the paste.

Next, the dry method. I covered the glue with a new hand towel.

The lid is closed,

Sealed with Washi paper.

I hope both of them will grow up safely next year.

The opening will be in a year.

Look forward to next year’s report.