Last Updated on September 17, 2022
Among the various martial arts techniques, keiso-do and shikkui are two of the most popular and widely used. But before we get into the details of how to make shikkui plaster, let us understand the differences between these techniques. This article will also cover the basics of Tagawa Sangyo, Qi Can, and Tagawa keiso-do.
shikkui
The traditional Japanese way of making shikkui is to use hydrated lime mixed with calcium carbonate (derived from eggshells) in order to create a plaster that is resistant to moisture. It is a great alternative, but this version of the plaster is 5 times more expensive than its modern counterpart. This guide will teach you how to make shikkui with a trowel. If you don’t have access to skilled plasterers, you can also purchase a pre-mixed shikkui plaster at a local home improvement store.
When applying shikkui, the first step is to gather your materials. Then, add hemp fiber to the mixture. The hemp fiber provides the desired tensile strength for the finished product. Using seaweed glue as a binder can help extend the set up time of the lime, allowing you to finish large areas of wall before the mixture hardens. Alternatively, you can use a combination of the two, depending on your preference.
After mixing the materials and applying the first coat, the surface may develop a plaster scum. This stain should be covered again the following day. You should also use a water atomizer to keep the surface moist between coats. This will make the second coat easier. If you have applied the first coat and it has dried completely, it will not be visible when the second coat is applied. You should repeat the steps until the wall is plastered.
keiso-do
There are several ingredients that are essential for making shikkui plaster. Hemp fibers are used because of their high tensile strength, which is very apparent in the finished product. Another important component is seaweed glue, which extends the set time of the lime and allows workers to finish large areas of wall before it hardens. It can be tricky to mix the materials as the hemp fibers are fine and easily tangled.
Shikkui plaster comes in many forms, from decorative to cost-saving. The two-coat application allows for a thin layer of plaster and good stress-crack resistance. Other components help with moisture retention and enhance workability. Generally, the mixture contains seaweed glue and hydrated lime. Seaweed extracts are used for their elasticity and smooth workability. This type of plaster is applied to walls and can also be applied to diatomite walls.
The process of making shikkui plaster is quite similar to that of making Gui Zao Tu, but it uses a different material, which is diatomaceous earth. This material does not harden on its own, so it uses additives to stabilize it. Keiso-do, on the other hand, has a more coarse surface and usually offers more variations in color than shikkui.
Qi Can
Shikkui is a non-toxic ecological lime plaster made of hydrated lime and calcium carbonate from reprocessed eggshells. It is used primarily as a surface coating for residential structures. Its porous, adsorbent properties enable it to perform a variety of functions. It can achieve a range of traditional and modern finishes. It is non-toxic and contains up to 50% reprocessed eggshells, a fast-renewable source of high-grade calcium carbonate.
Shikkui is an extremely durable finish for buildings and is considered an eco-friendly building material in Japan. Its ingredients are 100% natural and contain zero-VOC and no toxic compounds. It also features earthy tones and coarse rustic texture. Traditional plastering techniques require a skilled hand, or sakan, who is known as a master plasterer. Sadly, many of these craftsmen are no longer around, as today’s economy prioritizes cost efficiency over high-quality craftsmanship.
The first step in the process of creating shikkui plaster is to prepare the materials. You’ll need a trowel, Umaku Nureru. It is best to use a trowel because it doesn’t drip much. The shikkui plaster should be applied thinly so that it shows off the original surface. Once the plaster has half-dried, it should be applied evenly to the walls.
Tagawa Sangyo
A unique lime plaster, shikkui is composed of hydrated lime, water, and additional materials. It has been used in Japan for more than 5,000 years, and is often seen on the walls of castles and earthen storehouses. Tagawa Sangyo has developed a new formulation called Limix. The result is a unique mixture of lime, water, and additional materials that provides the perfect base for fresco art and building walls.
Tagawa Sangyo is the only Japanese manufacturer to receive Cradle to Cradle certification, a designation given to materials that can be recycled or returned to nature. Its new Limix plaster has a unique, odor-absorbent coating derived from photocatalysts, which decompose odorous materials and turn them into harmless compounds. Limix’s unique aesthetics and antibacterial properties have made it an attractive surface coating choice for interiors and exteriors of homes and businesses, as well as department stores, shopping malls, and music halls.
Using this traditional lime plaster, Tagawa Sangyo has successfully reproduced the look of traditional Japanese buildings. Their products are made from slaked lime with high calcium purity, and also include seaweed extracts and soybean oil to enhance workability and improve water-repellent properties. The other ingredients in Shikkui Plaster are natural plant fibres, eggshells, and Diatomaceous Earth, a rare mineral found only in Japan. Its hygroscopic properties make it an ideal choice for exterior walls.
Ingredients
The first step in making shikkui plaster is mixing the ingredients. This mixture consists of two main components: hemp fiber and seaweed glue. The hemp fiber is used for tensile strength and is visible in the finished product. The seaweed glue helps prolong the hardening time of the lime and enables workers to finish a large area of wall before it sets. In addition, the hemp fiber is a fine material that tends to become tangled when mixed, but this does not affect the final result.
Shikkui Sora is made from a mixture of hydrated lime, seaweed glue, and hemp fibers. When mixed with water, the lime reverts back to its limestone chemical composition. This makes it exceptionally durable and resistant to the elements, while still preserving the ability of the wall to absorb moisture. Because it requires more skill and time to produce, it has traditionally only been used for buildings of great value.
In modern times, the traditional Shikkui is made of lime and calcium carbonate, which are extracted from reprocessed eggshells. These two ingredients are effective against moisture and are also completely degradable. As a result, they are highly recyclable, but cost five times more than traditional Shikkui. But the benefits of using shikkui are well worth it. It is also abrasion resistant, making it an ideal choice for traditional Japanese homes.
Mixing method
The traditional mix is a combination of hydrated lime and calcium carbonate extracted from recycled eggshells. Both ingredients are highly porous, and are antiseptic. Shikkui plasters can be either matte or highly polished. The mixture of ingredients allows for unlimited variations and styles. Traditional Shikkui is five times more expensive than its modern counterpart. The process of mixing these two materials is similar to the traditional Shikui plaster, but the method used is slightly different.
The seaweed glue is added to the fiber. Then, dry lime is added to the mixture. Hasado-san mixed this plaster with a hoe and a plaster tub. Nowadays, this process is more convenient thanks to the use of a paddle bit drill. This method requires less work but still results in a quality product. The plaster is ready for use after being prepared properly.
To use the traditional method of mixing shikkui plaster, you need to mix the mixture in a bucket. To avoid causing a mess, use a disposable work surface. When mixing the plaster, be sure to leave the bucket out of the sun while it is still wet. A leaky bucket can cause the plaster to harden, which may lead to a messy landlord. If you have any excess plaster, simply dump it into a garbage bag or a trash can.
About The Author
Pat Rowse is a thinker. He loves delving into Twitter to find the latest scholarly debates and then analyzing them from every possible perspective. He's an introvert who really enjoys spending time alone reading about history and influential people. Pat also has a deep love of the internet and all things digital; she considers himself an amateur internet maven. When he's not buried in a book or online, he can be found hardcore analyzing anything and everything that comes his way.