gubiki 具引き

Applying an undercoat to paper to be used for painting. The undercoat consists of a thin solution of animal glue *nikawa 膠 mixed with a white pigment; kaolin *hakudo 白土 or white lead *enpaku 鉛白 were used until the Muromachi period, and oyster-shell pigment *gofun 胡粉 from the 16th century. The undercoat smooths out irregularities in the paper and helps to bring out the color of paints and ink. Sometimes colored pigments *ganryō 顔料 are mixed into the coating for decorative effect. Coated paper is known as gubikishi 具引き紙.