石川新情報書府・輪島塗

The process of applying lacquer is also called "kyushitsu." One of the things that distinguish Wajima Lacquerware is the use of plenty of crude lacquer. Theoretically, this process starts with the application of primer (shitaji), moves to intermediate coatings (nakanuri), and ends with the finish coatings (uwanuri). Depending on the piece being made, there are at least 20 and sometimes more than 37 steps in the process of applying the lacquer. It usually takes six months to one year to complete the lacquering process. The following steps are for the intermediate coatings.

Nakanuri-lacquer is applied to a bowl with a nakanuri brush. This lacquer works into the undercoating and strengthens the priming. The bowl is then put in a "nushi bath" for drying. A nushi bath is a dark room made of cedar boards the humidity of which is kept high by frequently spraying a fine mist of water around the room. Some bowls receive two or more intermediate coatings.	Nakanuri (Intermediate Coatings)
After the nakanuri-lacquer is dry, the surface is lightly planed off to remove uneven spots, such as embedded dust or other imperfections.
After sabizarai is finished, other defects, such as concave spots are repaired through the use of sabi-lacquer and a spatula. (Sabi-lacquer is a mixture of crude lacquer and whetstone powder stirred thoroughly with water.)
The bowl is polished with water and a blue whetstone or Suruga charcoal. The work of polishing the bowl is done on a lathe.	Konakanuri
Again, nakanuri-lacquer is applied to the whole surface with a brush, and the bowl is again dried in a nushi-bath.
The bowl is again polished with a blue whetstone or Suruga charcoal until the surface is flat and smooth.
After konakatogi, the bowl is polished thoroughly again with a blue whetstone or Suruga charcoal. This removes any surface contaminants, and the bowl is then wiped with cloth. Touching the bowl with one's bare hands is not allowed after this stage, since body oils will debase the finish.	Fukiage (Polishing Up)