一つ一つ丁寧に。大きく8つの過程へてお客様のお手元に。
Process of making Satsumabutton
Collectors of buttons have asked about my artistic process of applying designs on Satsuma buttons. This is my explanation of how I paint Satsuma buttons followed by 8 button examples.
One frequently asked question is, “How long does it takes to make one button?” The answer is about two weeks, because the button must be fired in the electronically controlled kiln at least five different times. More detailed work may require up to ten firings. Custom orders will take about 6 months.
First, the button blanks are obtained from a potter, who fires the button with the first clear glaze to achieve the fine crackling unique to Satsuma pottery.
Second, a rough sketch is drawn on the button with a fine water-resistant ink pen. Then, from a selection of fifty different colors, step by step the button is painted using a very fine brush of weasel’s hair. The final colors will not be seen until the chemical reaction causes the desired effect during the high temperature firing. Platinum or gold or both are applied before the final firing of the Satsuma button.
薩摩ボタンの素材は、薩摩焼を使用します。薩摩焼には黒薩摩・白薩摩とあり、ボタンには「白薩摩」の白い生地を使用します。（白薩摩は陶器の一種）
Satsuma pottery has black Satsuma and white Satsuma.Satsuma button is white Satsuma.
デザインを決めて、極細水性ペンで下書きします。（ペン跡は窯内で蒸発します。）
ecide the design,make a rough copy by very thin water-based ink pen (mark will boil away in kiln).
極細イタチ毛を使い、マット金（金又は白金と油を混ぜた液）で輪郭を取ります。
Make outline by matte gold(Mix oil and gold or platinum) and very thin weasel bristle.
陶磁器用の絵の具をすり鉢で摩り込み、マット金の輪郭内に色を入れます。
Mix paint for ceramics in mortal,and painting by it in matte gold’s outline.
小ぶりの電気窯で750度（約４時間）で焼成し、自然冷却（約５時間）を行います。再び陶磁器用絵の具で色むらを修正し、再度「STEP４」の工程を行い、「STEP６」のように仕上がります。
baking 750Celsius in small electric kiln over 4 hours. After baking, leave it unitil it gets cold.modification uneven color by paint for ceramics, and do No.5 process again.
マット金で、細かい金彩色や盛金を施し、620度（３時間半）で低温焼成します。
painting carefully or heap up matte gold and baking 620celsius over 3 hours.
最後の工程では、金を磨き上げ、金特有の輝きを放てば完成となります。
polish up gold, complete.
You can download a PDF file
