630 



THE ART OF CASTING BRONZE IN JAPAN. 



framework, an example of which is shown in plan and section in fig. 2, 

 is constructed as follows: A sufficient number of flat strips of wood, 



A A, resembling temi)lates, are 

 prepared, their external edges 

 being roughly cut to the shape 

 of the interior of the article to 

 be cast. Two circular disks of 

 wood, B B, each in two seg- 

 ments, and furnished Avith a 

 central hole, are also prepared 

 to form the top and bottom of 

 the frame. The above strips 

 are then arranged around the 

 l^eripheries of the disks, and 

 are kept in position by means 

 of wires or cords. A bar of 

 wood, C, of suitable length, is 

 then x)assed through the aper- 

 ture iu the disks, and the frame- 

 work is firmly attached to it 

 by wedges. The object of this 

 bar is to enable the core to be 

 moved about or revolved, and 

 so to facilitate the work of the 

 modeler. Thin strij)S of bam- 

 boo, or sometimes a cord of 

 straw, or both, are now bound 

 rouiid the exterior of the frame. 

 The core is then molded on it 

 to the proper thickness with a 

 mixture of burned and raw 

 clay, and rice husks applied in 

 several layers, the lower layers 

 being coarser and more porous 

 than those above them, and 

 the exact form is given to it 

 by one or two final coatings of 

 clay mixed with sand. After 

 the core has been dried the 

 vase or other object is modeled 

 on it in wax of the proper com- 

 position (see above). Wooden 

 or metal stamps are sometimes 

 used for molding Chinese characters and parts of the ornament, but 

 only for the commonest articles, the whole of the modeling of all others 

 being performed by hand. 



Fig. 2. 



REMOVABLE TORE FRAME. 



