Thread: cashew lacquer source for Canada?

Yea, I have been down that same road, have sealed some, just the sides and some not at all. My stones go from a rack or drawer to a holder on the bench, so the need is questionable.

I have used a variety of finishes, Craft water-based varnishes, PVA glue, and Mod Podge, they all work and can be tinted to look and feel like cashew.

A bottle of craft varnish is $2 easy to apply, clean up and multiple coats can be applied in a day. I doubt anyone could tell tinted water-based varnish from cashew, more importantly, do the same thing.

Years ago, when I looked into it, there was a guy in Northern California importing the stuff, it was pricy then and out of stock at the time.

I bought this Aiiwatani from JNS last week, it arrived yesterday. Nice big stone (8" x 2.5" x 1+"), but a little bit on the plain side apart from the kawa on the back. I want it to last a long time, of course, but I also think the traditional lacquer would make it look amazing. And it really doesn't seem difficult to do it the traditional way, except for finding the urushi/cashew lacquer (which I have found and is on it's way).

It came with this tomo nagura. I was blown away when I opened up the package. It's huge for a tomo - around 5" x 4.5" (although the working surface is more like 4.5" x 4"). I don't know what it is, I'm going to email Maxim and find out. It seems to have some inclusions, so I would want to seal it so that it doesn't fall apart on me.

Max is awesome... the tomo are what others would sell as a koppa. Great customer service too...

Yea, sealing tomo is a good idea especially if it has Kawa or inclusions.

I round off one corner aggressively, in a large arc, then just use that corner rolling around that radius. Make about a ½ inch bevel then knock off the corners for a large smooth radius, with a diamond plate or 220 wet and dry. Remove all sharp edges.

On your tomo, I would cut off that piece on the top of the first tomo photo, squaring off the large tomo. A hacksaw will do it easily.

Cut off the inclusion about a ½ inch left of it, lengthwise, (well clear of the inclusion). Then split the remaining 3X4 piece, so you end up with (2) 2x3 inch pieces that are clear.

Seal the kawa on all three pieces. I get wanting to use the lacquer. It all works.

Out of curiosity, I checked amazon.ca and found

Toho, Inc. Japanese Lacquer of Special Make Mat Black https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002OAPRYS/..._KDJbFbG8K5EZD

Seems too easy, so I suspect it’s not what you are looking for.

That would appear to be urushi, based on the skin rash caution, but usually flat lacquer isn’t seen on jnats, though you do see some different colors used on them in Japan. Small quantities come in a tube like that.

It's also used on watch faces in Japan and some artists in the states use it as a different kind of lacquer.

From what I have read urushi requires specific temp and humidity to cure. I bought a naka kiita from Maxim few years ago and it was on urushi sealed wooden base. Old stone. Interesting smell that urushi.

Originally Posted by alex1921

From what I have read urushi requires specific temp and humidity to cure. I bought a naka kiita from Maxim few years ago and it was on urushi sealed wooden base. Old stone. Interesting smell that urushi.

A very difficult medium to work with. It requires special skills from handling to execution.

It seems like there is no end to the rabbit holes in this hobby.