The first layer of mud plaster applied to the lath *komai 小舞, that forms the surface upon which to build the traditional style wall in wooden dwellings, tea ceremony houses, temples, or shine buildings. The mud plaster, arakabetsuchi 荒壁土, is a rough material composed of clay, sand, and straw, about 1.5 cm thick. This is applied to the inside of the lath first and then is patted down and smoothed. When dry, the reverse side is applied. Mud plaster improves with weathering and is good if it has elasticity. Depending upon the region, the soil differs, and in the vicinity of Kyoto and Osaka it is sifted through a 50 mm screen improving the quality. In the Arakida 荒木田 area of Saitama Prefecture, soil called arakida tsuchi 荒木田土 of a reddish brown color called sekkasshoku 赤褐色 is composed of 50 % clay and 50 % sand. It is widely used in the Kantō 関東 region.