Techniques of Plaster Walls and Namako Walls

Traditional earthen walls are built by inserting a bamboo framework inside the wall and applying multiple layers of earthen plaster and white plaster to create a strong, durable structure. The walls exceed 15 cm in thickness, protecting the building from rain and snow. At Kanazawa Castle, in addition to white-plastered walls, namako walls—which feature tiles applied to the lower portion of the wall—are used. These create a beautiful exterior unique among Japanese castles.

Process of Earthen Wall Construction

Takekomaikaki

Create the wall’s framework by tying bamboo poles (about 24–30 mm in diameter) together with straw rope.

Arakabetsuchitsuke

Form the wall earth into lumps and throw it onto the woven bamboo lattice to build up the rough wall.

Muranaoshi

Fill the cracks in the rough wall, pressing in additional wall earth to even out irregularities.

Nakanuri

Apply the intermediate coat using refined wall earth to create a uniform surface.

 

Process of Plaster Wall Finishing

Suna-jikkuinuri

Apply the base coat using plaster mixed with a large amount of sand.

Shikkui-uwanuri

Finish the surface with a layer of white plaster.

Process of Namako Wall Construction

Hiragawara-bari

After applying the intermediate coat, fix flat tiles to the wall using L‑shaped nails called kaiore‑kugi.

Namakome-jinuri

Fill the joints between the tiles with a sand‑mixed plaster for the base, then finish the surface with plaster.