Biko Hayashi

• Category
  Metalwork
• Techniques
  Hammer forming, Mokumegane, Metal inlay
• Born
  1937 -
• Based in
  Akita
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Akita Arts and Crafts Association

Style

In the world of metalcraft, I have earned high recognition as an artist specializing in the tankin (hammering) technique for hard materials such as stainless steel; however, in recent years, I have been working on my own “Gold, Silver, and Copper Metal with Woodgrain Patterns” containing real gold. Today I am passionate about reproducing this once lost technique of the Edo period.

　My Gold, Silver, and Copper Metal with Woodgrain Patterns is a special metal material; the main body is gold, onto which dozens of silver, copper, alloys of copper and gold, and other material plates are placed one after the other to create a laminated layer; it is heated in a high-temperature flame; then, by repeated hammering, burrowing, and thinning by hammering, a plate shape is made, and finally the simple and elegant woodgrain patterns stand out. This fine metal material is unparalleled in the world. In the Edo period, this material was used for the decorative fittings of swords and accouterments; in contemporary works, it is used to create such items as tea utensils, flower vases, and decorative boxes with designs suitable for today.

Biography

• 1947
  Studied under his father and started production of metalcraft at the age of 10
• 1961
  Member, Japan Contemporary Crafts Association
• 1965
  Member, Kofukai
• 1969
  Committee member, Akita Art Exhibition (36 years)
• 1975
  Associate member, Nitten
• 1976
  Chairperson, Akita Crafts Association (4 years)
• 1978
  Jury member, Kofukai (13 years)
• 1979
  Established Akita Prefecture Arts and Crafts Association, Chairperson (34 years)
  Member, Japan New Crafts Association
• 2005
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association

Awards

• 1977
  Received the Akita Art Encouragement Prize
• 1988
  Received the Mayor of San Francisco Award (San Francisco Municipal Council, USA)
• 1990
  Received the title of Traditional Skilled Worker (Japan Society of Architects and Building Engineers)
• 1992
  Received the Akita Culture Award and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
• 1998
  Received recognition for 30 years of service as a member of the Akita Art Exhibition committee
• 2001
  Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
• 2005
  Received the Akita Cultural Achievement Award
• 2007
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at the 36th Japanese Traditional Metalwork Exhibition
• 2011
  Received the Tokyo Board of Education Award at the 40th Japanese Traditional Metalwork Exhibition
  Received commendation from the Minister of Education, Science and Culture for Distinguished Service in Local Culture
• 2012
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the 41st Japanese Traditional Metalwork Exhibition