MUGI / NORI URUSHI ?

Kintsugi: The Art of Traditional Adhesives – Nori-urushi & Mugi-urushi

Among the key elements of kintsugi, two traditional adhesives hold an essential place : mugi urushi (むぎうるし) and nori urushi (のりうるし). Each has its own composition, uses, and advantages.

Origin and Tradition

The story of natural lacquer (urushi, うるし) stretches back thousands of years, to the Jōmon era (14,500 BCE – 300 BCE). Even in this ancient time, artisans had already discovered the remarkable properties of lacquer, creating nori urushi a blend of urushi and rice used both as an adhesive and as a means of reinforcing objects. This early mastery of natural materials laid the foundations for a craft that would endure across centuries.

During the Yayoi period (3rd century BCE), a new technique emerged: mugi urushi, made with wheat. This innovation expanded the possibilities of restoration and repair, allowing for greater refinement in the way broken or weakened objects were given new life.

Today, these traditional adhesives remain at the heart of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing ceramics with urushi. More than simple glues, they embody a philosophy: to preserve, strengthen, and sometimes even embellish broken objects, transforming them into treasures that carry both history and beauty.

What is Nori Urushi?

Nori urushi is a traditional Japanese adhesive made from glutinous rice flour and raw lacquer (ki urushi). More fluid than mugi urushi, it is valued for delicate repairs and for securing decorative elements.

A Common Confusion

In Japanese, the word 「nori (糊) means “glue” or “paste.”

This is not to be confused with nori (海苔), written with the kanji for “sea,” which refers to dried seaweed. The similarity is purely homophonic: the words sound the same but use different kanji and have unrelated meanings.

Materials for Nori Urushi (glutinous rice version)

Hot plate, bowl, glutinous rice flour, spatula, spoons, water.

Ki Urushi 50 ml / 100 ml

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Preparation of Nori (glutinous rice version)

Ingredients and Tools

You can use shiratamako flour, joshinko, or even cooked rice that has been kneaded (yes, really 😉 cooked rice, since it’s all about the starch).

Methods may vary depending on the practitioner.

Equal volume of flour and water (1:1)

• Glutinous rice flour

• Water

• Raw lacquer (ki urushi)

• Small heat-resistant container

• Spatula

In a bowl placed over a double boiler, mix four spoonfuls of Japanese glutinous rice flour (mochiko) with four spoonfuls of water.

Heat gently while stirring constantly. As the water evaporates, the mixture will thicken and turn into a soft, slightly translucent paste.

Nori urushi technique

Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

Tip: if you have prepared too much glutinous rice paste, you can store part of it in the freezer.

Nori + Urushi Preparation

Equal parts of nori and urushi (1:1)

The indicated ratio is the standard base, but the amount of raw ki urushi lacquer should be slightly adjusted depending on the condition of the joint.

Note: If you increase the proportion of nori to obtain more stickiness, be aware that water resistance will be reduced.

Japanese rice glue

Learn More – Preparing Nori-urushi

The preparation of nori urushi glue

What is Mugi Urushi?

Mugi urushi is a natural glue made from ki urushi (raw lacquer) and wheat flour. Its thick and sticky texture makes it an excellent adhesive for joining fragments of broken objects.

What is Mugi Urushi?

Mugi urushi is a natural adhesive traditionally used in kintsugi. It is created by combining ki urushi (raw lacquer) with wheat flour. The result is a thick, sticky paste that works especially well for joining fragments of broken ceramics.

Types of Wheat Flour

• Low-gluten flour (cake flour): the most commonly used in kintsugi for its soft and workable texture.

• Medium-gluten flour (all-purpose flour).

• High-gluten flour (bread flour).

• Pure gluten powder.

The type of flour determines the balance between flexibility and strength of the adhesive.

How to Make Mugi Urushi

1. Prepare the paste

   Mix wheat flour with a small amount of water until it forms a sticky consistency.

2. Add the lacquer

   Incorporate ki urushi in equal parts with the paste.

3. Apply

   Use the glue directly on the broken edges of the ceramic to reattach the fragments.

Mugi urushi mixture, wheat flour, water, and ki urushi

Advantages

• 100% natural and environmentally friendly.

• Excellent adhesion.

• Extends the life of objects while adding aesthetic value.

Mugi Urushi: Nature’s Adhesive for Kintsugi

Repair, recycle, reuse

Ki Urushi 50 ml / 100 ml

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Mugi Urushi vs Nori Urushi

Key Differences

Characteristic	Mugi Urushi (wheat flour + urushi)	Nori Urushi (rice/starch + urushi)
Texture	Thicker, paste-like	Softer, slightly sticky
Adhesion	Strong and durable	Weaker, less resistant
Main Use	Solid bonding of fragments	Lighter joins, intermediate steps
Water Resistance	Good (more stable over time)	Lower (especially if too much starch)
Ease of Use	Easier for beginners	Can feel tricky at first
Preparation	Wheat flour + urushi (often 1:1)	Cooked rice paste / shiratamako + urushi

Curing and Hardening

After application, the repaired pieces are placed in a muro (drying chamber) or furo at 70–80% humidity and around 25°C (77°F) for 7 days to 2 weeks, allowing the urushi to cure optimally.

A Timeless Technique

Whether you choose mugi urushi or nori urushi, these traditional adhesives carry forward an ancient craft in which every repair becomes a work of art. Kintsugi is not merely restoration: it is a celebration of the object’s history, its scars, and the beauty that emerges from them.

As for the curing time in the muro—time and patience are themselves part of the art of kintsugi.