Difference between revisions of "Category:Mica: Ukiyo-e colorant"

Mica 雲母(kira or unmo): A group of silicate minerals that cleave into thin, flexible sheets. It is ground into a powder for use on ukiyo-e prints. Powdered mica can be printed or sprinkled to create a shimmering effect. Paste or animal glue (nikawa) would be used to affix the mica. It is a pearlescent white but can also be mixed with a colorant to make colored mica. Mica can appear in a variety of tones depending on its origin, preparation or if it is applied over a printed color. Pink, mica and a red colorant or dark gray, mica and carbon black are the commonly found colored micas.

Large fields of mica appears most frequently on prints made during the late 18th century that depicted actors and beautiful women where it was used on the background to highlight the figure.

For additional information see: Mica

Examples of Mica in Ukiyo-e Prints

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Analysis

X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect

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  XRF spectrum for mica

Other Images of Mica

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  Mica (muscovite)

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  Mica powder at 100x

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  Mica powder

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  Printed mica

When we get back, add photo of heap of powdered mica

List of Prints

Below is a list of prints where mica was detected.