Dyeing and Finishing Step 11: Second Round of Sealing with Hot Dioscorea Cirrhosa Juice
After completing the second boiling and sun-drying process, the second round of sealing with hot Dioscorea Cirrhosa juice is required. This involves using "Si Guo Shui" (the liquid with the highest concentration of Dioscorea Cirrhosa juice) at 40°C to 50°C to perform another round of sealing and sun-drying. At this stage, the gauze fabric has fully absorbed the Dioscorea Cirrhosa juice, and the sun-dried silk is now a semi-finished product, ready for the next step — "Guo Wu" (the mud application process). The sun-dried raw silk must be rolled into a cylindrical shape, with neat edges and a tight roll, to be kept for the subsequent mud coating.
What is "Si Guo Shui"?
"Si Guo Shui," also known as "Zha Shui" (dregs water), has been explained in previous content. For details, please refer to the original article by clicking the image below.
"Guo Wu" (also known as "applying river mud") is the final and most critical step in the production of Xiangyun Sha. It is regarded as the most remarkable part of the process due to its magical effect. After more than 30 previous rounds of sun-drying with Dioscorea Cirrhosa juice, the gauze fabric has already turned reddish-brown. In this last step, the fabric undergoes a mordanting process using iron ions present in the river mud. It is this specific procedure that miraculously transforms the fabric into the finished Xiangyun Sha, characterized by its distinct black surface on one side and brown surface on the other.
Evolution of Operational Methods:
Traditional (Past):
This process had to be completed before sunrise, requiring workers to rise and begin labor as early as 3 or 4 a.m.
Modern:
Nowadays, sun-drying workshops commonly construct specialized "Guo Wu sheds." These sheds are covered on the top and sides with breathable and slightly light-transmitting black fabric. As a result, the modern "Guo Wu" process is no longer restricted to the early morning, significantly extending the available working hours and relieving workers from the hardship of the past.
NALANGE CHRONICLES
Editor-in-Chief: Wang Xuan
Photographer: Xiao Tie
Calligrapher: Zhi Ming
Costumes: WURAY MIRACLE, YUNSHA STAR RHYME
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