Arakawa's Artisans
Arakawa Ward Traditional Crafts Preservation Society
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa

Create a mold

Apply the primer

Frame Finishing

Antique finish

Completed
Picture frame
The frames are crafted primarily from cherry wood and are custom-made to suit each artwork.
This technique is a traditional woodworking craft rooted in the tradition of joinery, and is created by artisans in the workshop who specialize in either “wood preparation” or “finishing.”
The Work of a Frame Maker
The Process of Making Western-Style Picture Frames- [Design Concept] Based on the design, we consult with a woodworker and commission them to perform [cutting], [edge rounding], and [assembly] of the wooden frame.
- [Primer Coat] Apply a layer of gofun primer to the entire wooden surface using a doll brush.
- [Making Decorative Molds] Pack clay into a wooden mold and remove the mold (commission a woodcarver to create the wooden mold).
- [Applying Decorative Templates] Apply a layer of gofun-based primer to the sun-dried decorative templates, then affix them to the wooden base. Once affixed, apply another layer of gofun-based primer to finish the base coat.
- [Surface Sanding] Allow the primer coat to dry thoroughly, then sand the surface with a grinding stone or wet sandpaper to make it smooth.
- [Applying Lacquer] Apply lacquer to match the color of the undercoat. This prevents the undercoat paint from being absorbed into the substrate and helps avoid uneven coloring.
- [Primer Coat] Filter the cashew nut lacquer through high-quality Japanese paper and apply it evenly over the entire surface using a lacquer brush. To protect it from dust, place it in a drying chamber to dry.
- [Hot Stamping] Apply gold leaf evenly over the entire surface, pressing it down while wiping away any excess.
- [Kobitsuke] A finishing technique in which paint is applied and then wiped away, and powder is dusted over the surface to create a subdued, earthy tone.
Arakawa's Artisans


Kazushi Yoshida
Picture frame

