Lac-mushi no jyushi jyo - left (305 L)

Normal

Museum number	305
Uemera number / title	一; 櫨染 廿五 "Haze-some 25"
Folder location	4th shelf
Sample location	left (305 L)
Fiber type	wool
Color	purplish pink
Dyestuff (Japanese common name)	ラック虫の樹脂状 : Lac-mushi no jyushi jyo
Dye (English common name)	Lac dye
Dyestuff (botanical name)	resinous secretion developed by the scale insect Kerria lacca
Plant part	resinous secretion / dried
Dyestuff extraction	soaked in alcohol
Auxiliary agent in dye bath	sodium carbonate solution ?
Mordant	alum (added into dye bath)
Other auxiliary agent	vinegar
Uemera's notes	The dyestuff was soaked in alcohol to extract the dye compound. The extract was mixed with sodium carbonate solution ? (炭酸アルカリ水) to make a solution for dye bath, to which both vinegar and alum were also added. The dye bath was in an acidic condition, and warmed up during the dyeing. The resultant colors were slightly darker than those dyed with the commercially available pre-extracted lac dye. Similar type of dyed colors are seen with a couple of objects in the Shōsoin treasures (正倉院宝物), and the results of this experiment may suggest a possible dyestuff used for them.
Uemera's date	Kyoto