Perfect combination of Hokkaido Wakkanai diatom and Japanese shikkui
Takumi
Shikkui has higher alkalinity than soap - natural anti-mold, no chemicals
Shikkui is traditional Japanese paint with thousands of years of history. Main ingredient: coral reef from the sea, formed over hundreds of millions of years. Features: anti-allergy, anti-dust mite, anti-mold, antibacterial, humidity control, waterproof, anti-static, highly breathable, no VOCs.
Shikkui is natural material, pH 13 - higher alkalinity than soap (pH 8~10), quickly kills bacteria and viruses. Mold cannot grow in humid conditions. Ideal for children, elderly and those with weak immunity.
Premium Hokkaido Wakkanai diatom
Takumi uses patent-treated (PAT NO. 2652593) Hokkaido Wakkanai diatom with natural shikkui as binder. Doesn't reduce diatom performance. Easy to clean and apply, very durable.
Humidity regulation - reduces condensation and mold!
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Takumi's main components - Wakkanai diatom and shikkui - are porous materials with countless fine pores that absorb and release moisture. Regulates air humidity to prevent wall condensation and maintain durability. Absorbs moisture in humid summer, releases in dry winter for comfortable indoor environment. Absorption/release: +93L/m². (Note: Excessive humidifier or heating AC use beyond capacity may cause condensation.)
※Tested at 25°C, 50%~90% RH. At 40%~95% RH, difference is greater.
※Tested at 25°C, 50%~90% RH. At 23±2°C, 45±5%~90±5% RH, Takumi achieves 114 ml/m².
Natural antibacterial, anti-mold, inhibits dust mites! (ASTM D3273 / D3274)
Have you seen soap mold? Why doesn't soap mold even in humid bathroom conditions? High alkalinity - mold cannot grow. Shikkui is natural, pH 13, higher alkalinity than soap (pH 8~10) - inhibits bacteria, viruses, mold and dust mites. Shikkui and Wakkanai diatom humidity control keeps indoor and wall surfaces drier. Anti-static surfaces don't attract dust; dust is dust mite food - so dust mites struggle to survive.
Anti-static - less dust than wallpaper or latex paint
Research shows dust reappears quickly because walls and ceilings generate static from air friction - static attracts airborne dust which accumulates then falls. So even after evening cleaning, floors are dusty by morning.
Latex paint has more resin and generates more static. Takumi's shikkui and diatom don't generate static - less dust, less maintenance, cleaner indoors.
Anti-allergy: decompose allergens, inhibit dust mites
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Takumi is alkaline with humidity control - keeps indoor and wall surfaces drier. Anti-static surfaces don't attract dust. In alkaline dry environment with little dust (dust mite food), Takumi hypoallergenic paint makes dust mites difficult to survive.
Shikkui components decompose allergens from dust mites and pollen - reduces indoor allergens. Best wall material for allergy sufferers.
Adsorption - absorbs and decomposes chemicals, formaldehyde, VOC and odors
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Can absorb and decompose formaldehyde (the hidden killer of new homes) and other VOC volatile organic compounds.
Anti-static / less dust!
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Takumi's shikkui and diatom don't generate static. Therefore less dust, stays white longer, less visible soiling.
Durability - stronger over time!
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Takumi's main component shikkui gradually absorbs CO2 from air after application, slowly solidifies and reverts to limestone. So it gets stronger over time.
Thermal insulation / fire resistant!
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Shikkui and diatom are highly fire resistant, certified as non-combustible under Japan Building Standard Law Article 2-9. Both are porous - high thermal insulation, keeps indoor cool in summer and warm in winter.
Eco-friendly
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Shikkui base is lime. Lime is natural fertilizer - disposal and handling are eco-friendly.
What is Japanese Shikkui
What is Shikkui?
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Humans have used lime as building material for 10,000 years. Lime's natural properties: anti-allergy, anti-dust mite, anti-mold, antibacterial, humidity control, waterproof, anti-static, highly breathable, no VOCs.
In Japan, lime has long been used for wall materials - called "shikkui". Famous traditional buildings like Osaka Castle, Kumamoto Castle and Himeji Castle use it indoors and outdoors.
Shikkui is traditional Japanese paint with thousands of years of history. Main ingredient: coral reef from the sea, formed over hundreds of millions of years into natural limestone. Processed limestone with other natural materials becomes premium healthy paint.
Shikkui transformation process
Natural limestone (CaCO3) heated to 1000°C in a kiln becomes "quicklime" (CaO). Quicklime with water produces "slaked lime" (Ca(OH)2). Adding natural seaweed algae and hemp fibre to slaked lime creates shikkui wall material. After application, shikkui absorbs CO₂ from air, releases moisture, returns to limestone - slowly becomes natural mineral, stronger over time.
Shikkui ingredients
Shikkui ingredients are all natural - safe and healthy.
Shikkui characteristics
Shikkui has higher alkalinity than soap - natural anti-mold, no chemicals
Have you seen soap mold? Why doesn't soap mold even in humid bathroom? High alkalinity - mold cannot grow. Shikkui is natural, pH 12~13, higher than soap (pH 8~10), quickly kills bacteria and viruses. Mold cannot grow in humid conditions. Ideal for Hong Kong homes, especially with children, elderly or those with weak immunity.
Shikkui doesn't generate static - less dust than wallpaper or latex paint
Research shows dust reappears quickly because walls and ceilings generate static from air friction - static attracts airborne dust. Latex paint has more resin and generates more static. Shikkui doesn't generate static - less dust, less maintenance, cleaner indoors.
High durability - over 20 years outdoor use
After application, shikkui continuously absorbs CO2 from air, releases moisture, reverts to limestone (marble is a form of limestone). Gradually becomes natural mineral, stronger over time. Indoor and outdoor use, 20+ years lifespan.
Product Components
Application Guide
Coarse finish TL
After leveling with base coat and primer, apply Takumi L.
Takumi L (30kg) covers approx. 250 sqft (smooth finish; patterns use more).
Smooth finish TM
After leveling with base coat and primer, apply Takumi M.
Takumi M (23kg) covers approx. 340 sqft (smooth finish; patterns use more).
Smooth finish TS
After levelling with base plaster and applying primer, apply Takumi S.
Takumi S (22kg) covers ~380 sqft (smooth finish; texture uses more).
Smooth Surface System TLS
After levelling with base plaster and applying primer, apply Takumi L first, then 2 coats of Sora.
Takumi L (30kg) covers ~250 sqft; Sora (20kg) covers ~485 sqft (2 coats, smooth finish; texture uses more).
Product Packaging
Takumi M (23kg) = Sora (20kg) + Wakkanai diatom fine (3kg)
Takumi S (22kg) = Sora (20kg) + freshwater white diatom powder (2kg)
Application Tips
Takumi is easy to apply. Use natural strokes, avoid visible joins. Apply in semicircular motion, left-to-right (or right-to-left) and top-to-bottom. Polish to remove trowel marks.
Shikkui already contains seaweed - locks moisture to control drying. In hot, dry weather shikkui dries faster; adding natural seaweed powder slows drying and extends working time.
Adding soybean oil enhances shikkui waterproofing and makes application easier - traditional Japanese craftsman wisdom.
A spray bottle is essential. When polishing, if the surface is too dry, lightly mist with water for easier application.
A quality polishing trowel makes the job easier and results better. Choose thin (0.3mm) and flexible trowels.
Wakkanai Diatom Features
What is Diatom?
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Diatoms are the earliest single-celled plant plankton on Earth. After diatoms die, their remains accumulate on seabeds and lake bottoms. Over tens of millions of years, the silica shells fossilise into diatomaceous earth (also called diatomite or kieselguhr). Diatoms have an ultra-porous structure of 2-50 nanometres (one millionth of a millimetre), with 5,000-6,000 times more pores than charcoal. High moisture-regulating capacity is a key feature, along with breathability, deodorisation, fire resistance, thermal insulation and more.
What is Wakkanai Diatom?
Diatom is mined in Japan, the US, China and elsewhere. Japan has five main regions: Hokkaido, Akita, Ishikawa (Noto Peninsula), Okayama and Oita. Hokkaido produces the finest quality. Wakkanai, Japan's northernmost city, formed diatomaceous shale 25 million years ago when the crust uplifted - diatom was compressed and heated into amorphous silica mineral. Wakkanai diatom appears as rock, not mixed "earth" like other regions, hence it is also called diatomaceous shale. Its special micro-pore volume is 4× that of ordinary diatom, specific surface area 5×, moisture-regulating capacity 3-6×. In short, Wakkanai diatom absorbs moisture faster and more, especially at high humidity.
Wakkanai diatom vs ordinary diatom comparison
Moisture absorption comparison
Wakkanai diatomaceous shale has 3-6× the moisture-regulating capacity of ordinary diatom.
Absorption/release speed comparison
Wakkanai diatomaceous shale absorbs in under 5 hours what ordinary diatom takes 24 hours - 5× faster.
Moisture absorption at different humidity levels
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Wakkanai diatom excels at high humidity
Above 60% relative humidity, Wakkanai diatom's absorption outperforms ordinary diatom. The higher the humidity, the greater the difference.
Structure comparison
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Ordinary diatom
Pore size ~0.44-0.51nm, surface area 17-28 m²/g, pore volume 0.05 m³/m²/g.
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Wakkanai diatom
Pore size ~0.4nm, surface area 101.43 m²/g (4-6× ordinary diatom), pore volume 0.2122 m³/m²/g (5× ordinary diatom).
Comparison of Japanese diatom from different regions
Wakkanai diatomaceous shale has 4-6× the micro-pore volume and 5× the specific surface area of ordinary diatom - explaining its superior moisture absorption.
Color Selection
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Colours outside our range can be custom-mixed. If you need to match existing wall colour during renovation or want a custom shade, please contact us. (Inorganic pigments are used - ask about colour-matching range.)
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