Brass: Ukiyo-e colorant
Brass 真鍮 (shinchū): Brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. During the Edo period, brass was made with domestic copper and imported zinc from China.
Flakes or powdered metallics are often found in deluxe editions and surimono prints (摺物). Animal glue (膠 nikawa) was commonly used to adhere the powder to the paper's surface or as a binder when printed. The use of affordable metals such as brass and tin were likely meant to imitate the glittering effects created by the use of expensive metal leaf or flakes such as gold and silver on screen and scroll paintings.
Brass flakes are found in early prints as well as in deluxe editions. It was also used for metallic gold colored areas on a print. Printed brass is often seen in surimono prints. Different tones of brass could be created by manipulating the proportion of copper and zinc.
For additional information see: Brass
Examples of Brass in Ukiyo-e Prints
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Analysis
X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), which is an indication for the presence of brass.
XRF spectrum for Brass
Images of Brass
Brass powder
Printed brass
List of Prints
Below is a list of prints where brass was detected.
Pages in category "Brass: Ukiyo-e colorant"
The following 12 pages are in this category, out of 12 total.
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- Shigenobu I, Urashima Tarô, from the series A Set of Five Examples of Longevity, 21.9254
- Shinsai, Chapters 22–24, from the series The Tale of Genji, 11.20034
- Shunman, Mandarin Ducks and Iris, from the series Series of Seven Bird-and-Flower Prints for the Fuyô Circle of Kanuma in Shimotsuke Province, 21.9226