Please check the videos below to see how you can decorate items in the workshop!!
Maki-e, the final process in kintsugi, involves decorating scars with gold to achieve a smooth texture, akin to using melted gold. In this workshop, instead of decorating scars, you can create decorative patterns and designs with pure gold or platinum on your items.
In this workshop, you will learn kintsugi’s material and process (which takes at least 2 months!). Then apply maki-e to your own tea tool, wooden/bamboo item, matcha bowls, or wine glasses. If you don’t have any items to bring, you can purchase items like a chashaku (teaspoon) or wooden spoon at the venue.
Tickets are available here!
↓ Click these videos to play!!
What to Bring:
・Item you want to apply Maki-e to
・Airtight container that can fit your item
Please bring a container like a Tupperware that can securely enclose your item. After the workshop, the Urushi needs to cure inside the container for another 2-3 days. Since Urushi cures only in the presence of humidity, a damp cloth will be placed inside the container.
・Fine-tip ballpoint pen
・Long-sleeved clothing
Suitable Materials for Maki-e
Please choose items with a smooth surface! Maki-e may not be applied successfully on rough or uneven surfaces as it becomes difficult to attach gold or platinum.
・Bamboo
・Wood
・Ceramics (those with a glaze, and ensure the glaze is not rough)
・Glass
・Plastic
・For other materials, please inquire
Unsuitable Materials for Maki-e
・Metal
・Rubber
・Silicone
・For other materials, please inquire
About the Design
The designable area size should be around 4×7 cm or approximately 21 square cm.
The time allocated is 15 minutes for drafting and 30 minutes for Urushi drawing. As Urushi is a very viscous material, it must be applied very thinly. You need to move the brush slowly. Aim to spend 1 second drawing a 1mm line.
We use red-coloured urushi as a glue to stick gold/platinum powder. When your item is tranparent like glass, you will see the color from its back side like this ↓
Maki-e Process
※ Please wash the item you will use for maki-e with detergent beforehand.
10:00-10:15 – Explanation of the maki-e process, introduction to the materials (urushi) and precautions.
10:15-10:30 – 【Draft drawing】Clean the area for maki-e with alcohol. Transfer your design onto tracing paper or choose from these traditional patterns. Transfer the design from the tracing paper onto your item using carbon paper.
⚠ Please decide on your design beforehand! Because drawing time is limited, the size of the design should be less than 4x7cm and not very complicated.
10:30-10:30 – WEAR GLOVES. Practice moving the brush (Note: Urushi is a very viscous material, and it must be applied very thinly. Therefore, you need to move the brush slowly. Aim to spend 1 second drawing a 1mm line).
10:30-11:00 – 【Urushi application】Draw the lines transferred onto the item with a brush using urushi. Please do so carefully. If you make a mistake, you cannot start over.
11:00-11:20 – Cure the urushi lines (20 minutes) & explanation of the gold application process & introduction to Kintsugica and our class.
11:20-11:40 – 【Gold application】Conducted in groups of three people.
11:40-11:45 – Put your item, wet paper, and humidity bag into your air-tight container. (When it’s not an air-tight one, we wrap the top with a plastic wrap and close the lid.)
11:50-12:00 – 【Cleaning】We have a tight schedule this time. Your cooperation is appreciated.
After the Workshop
Don’t shake the container. Bring it back to your house. Wait for 2-3 days at room temperature (20-27℃). Then open the container and wash the excess gold/platinum.
*No microwave, oven, or dishwasher.
Feel free to ask anything about items, maki-e design, or any other questions by sending an email to us. As it’s a small-scale workshop, we can have a thorough consultation beforehand. To ensure I don’t miss your email, please title it “★INQUIRY★ Maki-e Workshop at Nihoncha Festival”.
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