About Chūkin
鋳金とは、金属について、その高温で熔ける性質をいかし型に流しこんで固めて形をつくる手法を指します。型のつくりかたには蝋型・惣型・込型があります
| Chūkin (casting) |
In the technique, chūkin, artists take advantage of the property of metal melting at high temperature, pouring it into a mold to solidify the metal and create a shape. There are various ways to make molds such as rōgata (lost-wax casting), sōgata (clay mold casting), and komegata (sectioned mold casting), with the process of making the mold being the most important.
Rōgata (lost-wax casting)
《What is rōgata (lost-wax casting)?》
In rōgata, a wax model is coated with a mixture of sand and clay casting material, then the model is heated until the wax melts away (lost wax). Molten metal is then poured in, and once cooled, the mold is broken to reveal the final piece. The wax melts away due to heat, allowing the creation of the artwork in the exact shape of the original wax model.
Rōgata allows for creating more complex shapes compared to other methods and can express the warm smoothness of the wax.
《Making Process of Rōgata》
1. Extend the wax to create the original model
2. Create a sprue to pour the molten metal
3. Enclose the model, pour the casting material, and create a mold
4. Pour metal into the molten wax mold and remove it
| Sōgata (clay mold casting) |
《What is sōgata (clay mold casting)》
In sōgata, a type of sand and clay is used to form a mold by directly rotating a template board to match the shape outline. It is mainly used in traditional tea utensils like tea kettles for tea ceremonies and temple bells. The kettle taken out of the mold is heated while applying urushi or ohaguro to achieve a uniquely beautiful color.
＜Source: "What is Traditional Kōgei?” Edited by Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch / Published by Unsodo, P.40,41>
