I am strongly committed to using tools made from natural materials in order to maintain and enhance the Japanese craft tradition.
With this in mind, I select products and techniques directly inherited from the practice of Japanese kintsugi.
The tools used for kintsugi reflect the accumulated wisdom of many craftsmen over time. Among them, the "sea bream fangs (Taiki)" and the "dog fangs (Kenki)" stand out for their originality.
It is likely that ancient craftsmen experimented with different fish and animal teeth before settling on those of the sea bream and the dog.
It is also said that the powder used to polish Roiro urushi came from deer horns. In short, the thousand-year-old history of lacquerware, which draws on the riches of nature, has been nourished by tools and materials from this same nature.
In this line, I propose the manufacture of artisanal Taiki .
What is it for?
The crafting of the Taiki creates a unique tool, ideal for polishing areas inaccessible to fingers when finishing in kintsugi, including gold and silver powder. Made from a red sea bream tooth (tai), it flattens the gold powder and gives it its distinctive shine.
How to get sea bream fangs…
How to get sea bream teeth for **handmade Taiki making**? Personally, I bought red sea bream teeth during a trip to Japan. To get some, I advise you to go to a fishmonger and ask for a large head of wild red sea bream (tai). Farmed sea bream, which are often smaller, should be avoided. Before purchasing, carefully examine the fangs.
To recover the teeth, it is best to boil the head rather than bake it, to avoid weakening the teeth.
How to make a Taiki craft manufacturing
Sea bream tooth
Mini drill
Disposable wooden or bamboo chopsticks in all good Asian restaurants
Black fishing line
Quick setting glue
Cutter
A mini dremel
Video making Taiki kintsugi
Steps for making artisanal taiki
1.- Cut your wooden stick to the desired size.
2. - Carefully cut the end of the stick into a point using a cutter, about 0.5 cm. This cut part should be able to fit into the hollow cavity of the sea bream tooth.
3. - Adjust the tip with sandpaper to ensure good adhesion between the rod and the sea bream tooth.
4. Use quick-setting glue to securely attach the tooth to the stick.
5. - Secure the assembly by wrapping fishing line around the junction between the tooth and the stick.
6. - Coat the fishing line with quick-setting glue to seal everything well.
7.- Finally , protect the handle by applying several coats of ki urushi (fuki-urushi) lacquer, in order to obtain a natural polish.
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