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| Traditional Japanese metal polishing tools |
I lived in Japan for six years and was fortunate to be able to study traditional Japanese metalsmithing at the Kuroki Atelier in Daikanyama, Tokyo. It is common knowledge that when the Japanese undertake something, they are not half-assed about it. I was in total awe of the level of skill and craftsmanship they were capable of in all crafts. They have so many skills and techniques which are unique to their culture. When I learned how to polish metal in the old style I fell in love with the tools themselves. These were being used long before electric power machines such as flex shafts and buffing machine came around. Take a look...
Naguratoishi is a stone. The first stage of polishing is using this stone by dipping it in water and rubbing the piece of metal in a circular motion thereby eliminating the top layer of scratches.
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| Naguratoishi |
2. Stage Two ~ Hozumi
Hozumi is a soft charcoal. This stage is just a repetition of the first stage using water to polish the even finer scratches left.
3. Stage Three ~ Dozuribake
And then we have dozuribake which breaks down in translation to copper/polish/brush. I think this is the coolest, most beautiful tool I've ever seen. It's made from human hair which runs through the entire piece. As the hair gets worn down from polishing, you shave off a layer of the enclosing wood frame.
4. Stage 4 ~ Hozumi powder
The final stage involves grating the hozumi with a coarse file into powder. You then add a little water to the powder, dip the dozuribake into it and polish using a circular motion for the final stage.
Hozumi is a soft charcoal. This stage is just a repetition of the first stage using water to polish the even finer scratches left.
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| Hozumi |
3. Stage Three ~ Dozuribake
And then we have dozuribake which breaks down in translation to copper/polish/brush. I think this is the coolest, most beautiful tool I've ever seen. It's made from human hair which runs through the entire piece. As the hair gets worn down from polishing, you shave off a layer of the enclosing wood frame.
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| Dozuribake |
4. Stage 4 ~ Hozumi powder
The final stage involves grating the hozumi with a coarse file into powder. You then add a little water to the powder, dip the dozuribake into it and polish using a circular motion for the final stage.
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| Hozumi Filings |
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| Polishing with Dozuribake |
This method of polishing doesn't result in a shiny finish but is more of a sheen I would say. These earrings and brooch which I made illustrate the kind of finish you get with this method. The Japanese aesthetic favors the subtle which is expressed in a word which cannot be translated into English: Shibui http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibui
