Collection: Mounting Tools

Enjoy Calligraphy and Shodo Mounting Yourself

Various mounting tools to enhance your works. Brushes, backing paper, mounting paste, fixatives, blotting paper, and more are available for order.
These are also used by skilled mounting artisans of Nara Shoyu, so you can use them with confidence.
Please take a look.

Easy and Enjoyable Mounting

Mounting, also called hyoso, refers to scrolls, hanging scrolls, fusuma, folding screens, frames, and albums made by attaching cloth or paper.
Mounting preserves works for the long term. Many people now enjoy decorating small calligraphy works in their own style or giving them as gifts.
Once you experience the joy of mounting and displaying your works, calligraphy becomes even more enjoyable.
Though it may seem difficult, small works can be managed. If you create a piece you love, try mounting it yourself.

For Those Trying Mounting at Home

Backing is the process of attaching special paper to the back of a work (the honshi) to strengthen it. It helps prevent wrinkles and sagging.
Essential tools include “backing paper,” “spray bottle,” “iron,” a “cutter knife” to trim excess paper, and a “mat” for use with the spray bottle and iron.
Spray lightly, then stretch out wrinkles with an iron or brush once dry.
Afterwards, attach the backing paper, then finish with a hanging scroll or frame for display. ※For scrolls, there is a simplified method called “temporary scroll mounting.”

Differences Between Dry and Wet Mounting

The method introduced above is called “dry backing.” It uses pre-glued backing paper pressed with an iron at home or a press machine professionally.
In contrast, “wet backing” or “traditional backing” requires preparing backing paper (torinoko paper) yourself.
You carefully manage glue concentration and brush technique, then allow the work to dry naturally without heat. Craftsmen skilled in this are known as hyogushi (mounting artisans).

About Mounting ToolsAbout Hyogu item