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64
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
and knots with linen
They first of all covered the joints
gauze, after which they took their brushes and laid on the lacquer,
just as our workmen do shellac. The articles were next
placed in boxes lined with wet paper; the urtishi not drying
evenly in the light or in a warm atmosphere.
As soon as the pieces were hard enough, which, their
guide told them, often took several days, they were rubbed
down with water and powdered charcoal, then relacquered,
the process being many times repeated. Before the final
polish is given, the article is decorated with gold paint or in-
laid with mother of pearl, then once more relacquered; the
last coating being polished with powdered deer's horn.
The common ware, such as this," said the manufacturer,
" only has a few coats of tirtishi, while the finer sorts often
have from fifty to a hundred. Please come into the next department,
and I will show you a beautiful cabinet that I am
for one of our nobles."
making
They followed him and found the polishers putting the
finishing touches to an exquisite work of art. The front panel
represented a daimio (great Lord of old Japan) presenting
one of his clan with a suit of armor. The figures, which were
made of hard lacquer and were in bas-relief, were beautifully
carved and colored, and the entire panel was a charming
specimen of modern Japanese work.
" How do you solidify the lacquer? " asked Sallie.
: