Traditional Japanese interior with natural plaster finish

Today, I present you with two websites that shed a bright light on the magic of traditional building and natural plasters of Japan. Japan has a long history of the use of natural clay and lime plasters in construction. Thankfully, there still exists a wealth of knowledge of these traditional finishes, and skilled craftspeople are keeping the practices and recipes alive.

Kyle Holzhueter is an American-born builder, consultant, researcher and educator specializing in natural building techniques, including straw bale building and clay and lime plasters. He has taken up full-time residence in Japan, where he’s been formally trained in traditional plastering. His websites are a treasure trove with some incredible building documentation, including the recipes, mixing, and application of some of the most interesting and refined natural plasters I have ever seen.

Japanese Plastering Magic

If you have an inkling of interest in this subject, I urge you towards Kyle’s two websites documenting some of his work in Japan with traditional materials. Japanese Plastering is just that — a gem of a blog dedicated to demonstrating the use of various lime and clay plaster mixes. Some of this stuff cannot be found anywhere else (in English), at least that I know of.

For one example, see Kyle’s description and process for making Shikkui lime plaster. Shikkui is a very thin lime plaster application that can be applied over large areas without interrupting joints. It uses seaweed glue and hemp to aid in workability.

Even more interesting is this polished tosa shikkui plaster —  it’s a weather-resistant lime plaster made with fermenting a mix of slaked lime and straw fibers. Amazingly, it’s so finely polished that the finished surface is reflective.

Polished tossa shikkui plaster… so smooth it’s reflective!

There’s also a wealth of information about the tools of the trade — various trowels designed for different plaster applications. Be sure to see the history of Japanese trowels, for example. There’s also a lot of quality trowels for sale as well.

Kyle’s other blog, Hyakusho is just as priceless. The building geek in me loves the plethora of photos of building renovation and new natural building construction work. See for example the “Re-thatching a rural Kabuki musical hall in Hyogo Pefecture“, and “Renovation of a 100 year old home in Onomichi, Hiroshima“, with before and after photos.

Re-thatching an old musical hall

Enough said for now… you can get lost in these two wonderful resources.

Image credits: Kyle Holzhueter