Source for funori

There have been a number of postings recently Re: funori.

This is an extract of seaweed.  It is not a magic material; it does
not have to come from an Asian supplier to function properly.

Dried seaweed (readily available from Asian groceries) may be used
as noted in Mosako Koyano's book, Japanese Scroll Paintings, FAIC,
1979, p. 31:

   "Material: seaweed.  Preparation: 6 gm of dried seaweed is soaked
    in 200 cc of water overnight.  Then it is cooked in a pan over
    low heat until the seaweed is well dissolved, and the liquid
    strained through a medium-coarse cotton cloth.

   "Use: seaweed solution is used for setting down the cleavage of
    paint and for facing."

I have used this material for many years to lay down lifted films of
pigment on Asian screens.  It does not dissolve completely and
should be filtered before use.

There are many varieties of dried seaweed available in my local
Asian grocery stores and it does not seem to be important which
variety is selected; so far, they have all worked well.

It is not unlike wheat starch paste.  One may purchase expensive
precipitated wheat starch from a supplier, or one may soak wheat
flour in a bit of water and precipitate starch therefrom.

There are few mysteries in this business, but there are many who
would supply ignorance or indolence.

Jack C. Thompson
Thompson Conservation Lab.
7549 N. Fenwick
Portland, OR  97217
503-735-3942  (voice/fax)

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:89
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 5, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-89-006
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