This kit contains 8oz of glue and 4oz of
alum, enough to make one gallon of dōsa
using the Yoshida formula (see page 2). If
you wish to change the amounts, or use one
of the other formulas compiled by Bill
Paden, we recommend using a scale so
your measurements are exact. A postal
scale or food scale will work well. The
name and address for a company that can
supply a metric scale are given at the
bottom of page 2.
Please note, on the dōsa formulas given on
page 2, the second set of numbers in each
category are based on using one gallon of
water, so you can easily compare the
Azechi, Robertson and Colyer formulas to
Yoshida’s.
Mr. Paden's directions on how to size paper
are given on page 1. In addition, what
follows are some hints or alternative ways
to size washi (source unknown, from a
handout used by Elaine Chandler, the
previous owner of McClain’s) that may also
be useful to you:
A) Lay the paper on a large, flat, nonporous
surface such as glass or Formica.
B) Use a large brush—the wider the brush,
the better.
C) Apply the dōsa to the first sheet of
paper, place the second sheet on top of the
first sheet, and apply the dōsa again.
Continue until all the paper is sized. In this
manner the paper will become sized on
both sides and any missed spots will be
dampened from the bottom. Allow to dry
in the stack for 30 to 45 minutes until the
paper has absorbed the sizing water evenly.
Do not allow the stack to stand longer than
1 hour, or the papers will adhere to one
another. Gently peel apart and hang or lay
flat to dry.
(Note: This differs from Mr. Paden’s
directions quite a bit. His directions say to
apply the dōsa to one side of the paper and
allow the paper to dry 10 minutes before
stacking. After 10 minutes it might be a
good idea to feel the paper and make sure it
is no longer sticky. If it feels sticky, allow
more drying time so the papers do not
become glued together in the stack.)
D) If the paper wrinkles while applying the
sizing, pick up one corner, lifting toward
the center, and brush outward from the
center toward the corner. Do this with
each of the corners, and you should be able
to brush out the wrinkles.
E) Print on top, or on the side that was
brushed with sizing.
15685 SW 116th Avenue PMB 202
King City, OR 97224-2695 USA
www.imcclains.com
503-641-3555 (phone)
503-641-3555 (fax)
800-832-4264 (orders)
NOTES TO THE HANGA PRINTMAKER DŌSA, SIZING FOR WASHI
© William Paden 1993
Washi must be sized uniformly on both sides before it is used for printing. In its natural state,
washi is quite absorbent and color printed on it tends to bleed. A size of hide glue, alum and
water is needed to make the washi fibers stronger and less absorbent. The proportions of the dōsa
formula vary according to the type of washi, the kind of printing techniques used and also the
season when the sizing is done. The longer you size the washi before printing on it, the better. Six
months to a year will help the washi mature. Also, dōsa can be kept refrigerated for many
months without spoiling.
Dōsa Ingredients and Implements
1) Glue Use the best nikawa or rabbit skin glue available. The better the
glue the better the size
2) Alum Can be purchased in powder or crystal form at chemical firms
3) Water Distilled water is best, but not a necessity unless your local water
is bad
4) Brush A wide, soft-haired (rabbit or sheep) dōsa bake is best
5) Double-Boiler One small container set in another that is filled with water will do
Dōsa Preparation
1) Break up the glue, if not already in granular form, by wrapping in a cloth rag and
beating with a hammer on a hard surface.
2) Fill pot with the correct amount of water (see the Formulas on page 2) and put in the
glue. Let soak until each piece of glue has absorbed all the water it can. During the first
two hours or so, stir the mixture so the pieces of glue do not stick together. Let stand
overnight. If the glue is in large pieces, let stand another 12 hours.
3) Place glue pot in the double-boiler. Melt glue, stirring constantly. DO NOT BOIL glue; it
will lose strength.
4) Dissolve alum in a small amount of hot water. Add to glue.
5) Strain the mixture through cotton cloth or a nylon stocking.
Dōsa Application (The more washi sized at one time, the better. Accuracy, consistency and
speed come with repetition.)
1) Lay paper on clean table top.
2) Load brush with warm dōsa. Keep dōsa just warm enough to flow throughout operation.
3) Start applying the dōsa at the upper left hand corner with a swift, sure motion across the
face of the washi. Then, from right to left, move the brush down and progressively slow
the speed of each stroke until one side is uniformly sized. See dōsa application diagram
on page 2. Let washi dry on any available flat, clean area – the floor, a table, etc. After
about 10 minutes, the washi can be stacked even though it is not completely dry. When
thoroughly dry, do the other side.
Warning!
Too Strong Dōsa: will prevent the color from penetrating into the fibers of the washi and
washi will glisten
Too Weak Dōsa: the print will stick to the block and/or the color will bleed
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Dōsa Formulas Compared
WATER GLUE (SANZENBON) ALUM (MYOBAN)
YOSHIDA 1 gallon (3.8 liters)
summer less water; winter,
more
8oz 3 – 4 oz
AZECHI 1 liter (0.95 gallons) 1.5oz 1 pinch
3.8 x 1 liter = l gallon = 5.7oz = 0.25oz
ROBERTSON 180cc (6oz) 3.75 grams 0.8 to 1.12 grams
cold to warm weather
21.33 x 180cc = 1 gallon = 2.8oz = 0.8oz
COLYER 5 cups (1000cc)
(Japanese cups = 7oz/200cc)
2 sticks nikawa (0.5oz)
dissolved
2 teaspoons (1/3 oz)
3.8 x 5 cups = 1 gallon = 2oz = 2oz
KARHU See next table for complete breakdown
Karhu Dōsa Formula: 10 Quarts Breakdown by Bill Paden
ORIGINAL FORMULA: 2 TO 1 RATIO
WATER GLUE ALUM
Summer Winter Summer Winter
10 quarts 280g (10oz) 240g (8.5oz) 140g (5oz) 120g (4.25oz)
5 quarts 140g (5oz) 120g (4.25oz) 70g (2.5oz) 60g (2.15oz)
2 quarts 56g (2oz) 48g (1.7oz) 28g (0.99oz) 24g (0.85oz)
1 quart 28g (0.99oz) 24g (0.85oz) 14g (0.5oz) 12g (0.42oz)
WEAK SOLUTION FORMULA FOR RESIZING: 1 TO 1 RATIO
WATER GLUE ALUM
Summer Winter Summer Winter
2 quarts 28g (0.99oz) 24g (0.85oz) 14g (0.5oz) 12g (0.42oz)
1 quart 14g (0.5oz) 12g (0.42oz) 7g (0.25oz) 6g (0.21oz)
Dōsa Application Diagram
Reprinted with permission from the author
by McClain's Printmaking Supplies
800-832-4264 www.imcclains.com
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