This traditional starch glue method is historical craftsmanship technique.
1. About starch glue
With low water content. Is very adhesive to make fine Tsumami. Glue must be kneaded before use. Need 1 day to dry.
2. How to knead starch glue
✓Soak wood board and wet spatula.
✓Place some glue on wood board.
✓ Knead glue with spatula till it gets smooth and shiny. Kneading glue makes soft and adhesive.
✓ Spread glue evenly from the edge of wood board.
✓ Chirimen fabric: 2mm thick, Habutae fabric: 1~1.5mm thick) *depends on fabric size.
3. The process of making Tsumami
✓ Pinch and fold and make petals.
✓ Soak in bottom part of petals into the glue.
✓ Rest for about 15 min. in the glue. (resting time depends on types of fabric)
✓ Put some glue on surface of the base.
✓ Pick up petal one by one and place them on the base.
✓ Once all the petals are on the base, equalize center part and adjust petals.
✓ As the glue does not dry immediately, you can take time to adjust.
Finished!
4. If you can’t get the Starch glue…….
This is an experiment for making starch glue for tsumami zaiku (kanzashi flowers).
The basic idea was from the craftsperson but we arranged the ingredients so that it may be easier for people around the world to make.
Ingredients
✔2.5 tbsp rice powder
✔10 tbsp water
Steps for making:
1. Mix all ingredients well.
2. Heat up in the microwave (600W) for 20 sec.
3. Mix well again.
4. Repeat 2 and 4 three more times.
5. Cool the glue If your microwave is over 600W, make the heating time shorter. Ex. 100W 12 sec. × 4 times
Caution!! How it comes out depends on your microwave, slight change of the number of ingredients, season, and humidity. So please adjust your own preference.
Since there are no preservatives, it may last about 2 days.