The Making of a Pendant
This page introduces the making of this raden pendant. Raden is a traditional decorative technique that inlays thin pieces of shell into urushi lacquer.
①
The original wooden form is coated with urushi lacquer, and then allowed to absorb and dry for a day or two.
②
Once the design is decided, the shell is cut. This piece is abalone.
③
Urushi is applied again. The shells are placed using the tip of a toothpick, and the piece is left to dry for a day or two until they adhere.
④
A coat of urushi is then applied on top and left to dry for a day or two.
Two days later, it is fully dry.
⑤
The piece is polished with charcoal to reveal the shell design.
⑥
Repeat steps ④ and ⑤ three or four times until the urushi and shell match in height, and the shell appears to be set in place.
If you apply a thick coat in one go without repeating the process, the urushi will shrink and wrinkle when it dries. To create a smooth and beautiful surface, apply urushi multiple times.
⑦
A thin layer of polishing cream is applied and rubbed in by hand.
⑧
Colorless urushi is applied and left to dry for a day or two.
⑨
Repeat steps ⑦ and ⑧ to create a glossy surface.
⑩
Shells are the jewels of the sea. This raden pendant has been polished to a jet-black finish. It takes about a month to complete a piece of this size.
