| Richard: The maruzome kiwa-type Sumi seems to be a new development in terms of "fixing" it. However, I think you will find many "pseudo-maruzome" examples in particular stages of Sumi development in the Utsuri group and occasionally in Sanke. The accomplishment of Sakai is to get lacquer black of great intensity, and it happens to be linked to the maruzome-type kiwa as occurs with the Beni in so many of his fish. I am not so sure that every example is the real thing, as opposed to a moment in time. |