Just as there are various kinds of blue in one word in one word, there are various kinds of "gold" in gold.

Kim attracts people regardless of the country or religion, and at the same time, the development and money of art may be inseparable.

This time, there are various types of gold painting materials, "gold leaf", but this time, I will explore the question "What is the difference in the first place?"

The gold leaf used in Japan includes pure gold leaf and Western foil, and other new light foil "pure gold".

All are "gold" foil, but there is a difference of "whether gold is included", and Western and new light foil do not contain money.

Let's take a look at what each gold leaf is made.

Pure gold foil is alloyed with pure gold, small silver and copper instead of 100%pure gold. There is also a 100%pure gold gold leaf, but many of the ones sold at art materials stores are this silver alloy.

On the other hand, Western gold foil is made of copper and zinc alloy foil, and there is a type of blue and red mouth.

By the way, the photo below is the gold leaf introduced here.

There is a subtle color differenceCan you distinguish it?

answer:

(From the upper left) Pure gold leaf No. 4, pure gold leaf -fifth, pure gold leaf three steps

(From the lower left) Western gold leaf blue mouth, Western gold leaf red mouth

The difference in color depends on the content of the metal, and the color differs depending on the difference in gold content even in the same pure gold foil.

The same is true for Western gold foil, and the red mouth with a lot of reddish copper has a slightly different ratio, but it feels a little reddish compared to the blue mouth.

Also, the name of the foil that is unfamiliar to listen to everyday.

The pure gold leaf is attached, such as regular five hair (Shogomou), No. 4, and three -step color (Sanbushoku), but what is the meaning of the color name?

The name of the pure gold leaf has the difference in the manufacturing method and the metal content. The name and price change due to the difference in metal content. From those with a high gold content, it is called five -haired color (Gomo Shoku), No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, 3 steps, and the corresponding color.

At the end of the product name, there are "cut -off (tachikiri)" and "with a marriage", but what is the difference?

The foil has been hit thinly by hitting it, but it has been hit tens of thousands of times to make it so thin. Therefore, there is a traditional Japanese paper called durability and flexible "foil papers" between foil and foil.

The gold leaf made of this paper is called a "edge" foil.

On the other hand, the "cut -off" foil is the product manufactured with a simple paper (grasin paper).

After finishing the "edge" foil, one piece is cut by hand, but the "cut -off" foil is cut at a stretch.

This time I will put gold leaf.

Let's compare the characteristics by type.

The pure gold leaf is very thin, so you can fly even with a small breath.

Western gold leaf can be lifted with dry hands,The foil is very sticky, so it is easier to take body powder on your hands and foil chopsticks. You can see that it is a completely different foil when you touch it.

Pigment Tokyo also offers a set for those who want to use color foil other than gold leaf and those who want to enjoy it more easily.

You may be able to come across the beauty of metal art materials, which can be glimpsed from gold leaf.

Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO

Natsuko Shiraishi

Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.

Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.