Thread: Sealing JNATs? Whaddya mean by 'laquer'?

I will give a superficial answer since I don't really know anything about the traditional material and process.
Japanese stones I think are traditionally sealed with Urushi Lacquer, a somewhat toxic substance and needs a rather humid environment to cure properly. Cashew lacquer made from cashew shells is a slightly less toxic alternative and probably more readily available sealant that will cure more readily in normal conditions. I'm sure the J nat gurus will chime in and tell you what its all about.

Thanks...I like your profile pic

Neither urushi nor cashew lacquer are readily available in the U.S. I was advised by Garrett of Japanese-Whetstones.com (member JNATS on this forum) that ordinary unthinned Bullseye shellac works fine for sealing stones and I have used it successfully on a couple of mine.

I have always used cabinet makers clear lacquer on sides and back.

Thank you sir, that's what I needed. Backs up the generally "goop like" expectation raised by the tomonagura article.

That urushi can give a wicked case of contact dermatitis with even a tiny exposer is probably the reason it is not available here in the U.S..

Correct - I was hospitalized when I handled a bow that had urushi that wasn't fully cured. Not pleasant at all.

So now you folks got my curiosity, I did a little digging. Whether this video is correct or not I have no base for comparison. It seems a pretty straight forward process and may be used as a guide for what ever you chose as a sealant.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

So now you folks got my curiosity, I did a little digging. Whether this video is correct or not I have no base for comparison. It seems a pretty straight forward process and may be used as a guide for what ever you chose as a sealant.

Keith V Johnsons (who made that video) website tomonagura.com is great for anything Jnat related, here he writes about sealing jnats
Sealing a Jnat | TomoNagura.Com | Keith V. Johnson

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Neither urushi nor cashew lacquer are readily available in the U.S. I was advised by Garrett of Japanese-Whetstones.com (member JNATS on this forum) that ordinary unthinned Bullseye shellac works fine for sealing stones and I have used it successfully on a couple of mine.

Huh....that's good to know. I figured shellac would be the absolute last thing to use because it's so penetrative and lays down so little film.