y Clay Stature z



Clay has been used since the technique was introduced into Japan in the middle of the 7th century, and was popularly used throughout the 8th century.
However, it has been used less and less. It's fragile and heavy, so not easy to move, though it's easy for craftsmen to change the figure and the material itself is relatively cheap.

y Shin-boku z

The bottom of the statue is made with an oval cypress board ( calledgSoko-itah), and square cypress timber is used as its spine, this is called thegShin-boku.h Straw rope is coiled around thegShin-boku,hso it is easier to attach the followinggAra-tsuchi.h

y Ara-tsuchi z

gAra-tsuchihmeans clay with gravel, and is used to make the inside of the image. This material is quite fragile so straw is mixed in to strengthen it.

y Naka-tsuchi z

This is a soft mixture of soil, clay and rice husks. After the abovegAra- tsuchihis dried,gNaka-tsuchihis used to make the rough shape.

y Shiage-tsuchi z

gShiage-tsuchihis composed of fine sandy soil, water and soft clay mixed with hemp fiber. This soil is used for modeling the stature in detail. After plastering, the surface is painted and complete.

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