Funori: a Short Description, Recipe and Source

Funori: a polysaccharide mucilage (similar to carrageenan), made from the seaweed >gloiopeltis, which is harvested from natural populations in Japan

Conservation Use:

traditionally used by Japanese mounters

consolidant—it can be applied in relatively generous quantities, yet when it dries its bulk is not apparent and it appears matte
very thin, extremely smooth adhesive for adhering fills in very thin paper
facing adhesive

Recipe:

Cut up 6g prepared dried seaweed web (the web is tan to orange-brown in color). Soak in 200cc water overnight. Cook this mixture in a pan over low heat until the seaweed is dissolved, Do not boil. Cool. Strain the solution through a Japanese silk strainer or a cotton cloth. The solution will be light drab tan in color and feel "slimy". Store in refrigerator when not in use. Warm up prior to use.

Sources for Purchase:

funori may sometimes be found in Japanese crafts and textiles shops as it is a traditional size used for fine kimono

Kasuri Dyeworks (415)841-4509

1959 Shattuck Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94704 c.19g 75cents

SEIWA (a dye supply company that will handle orders in English and take dollar checks)

3-5-1 Takadanobaba, Tokyo 160

JAPAN 80g 480yen

Reference:

Levering, Hoppe and Schmid. Marine Algae: A Survey of Research and Utilization. Hamburg, Germany: Cram, De Gruyter & Co., 1969, pp. 242-243.