Coffer with design in kirikane. “Brightly colorful myriad flowers”

Description

• Category
  Kirikane cut foil embellishing
• Materials
  Paulownia
• Dimensions
  H 13.8 x W 18.7 x D 17.0 cm
• Year of creation
  2023
• Rarity
  Unique

Techniques Used

Kirikane cut foil embellishing

Kirikane cut foil embellishing was originally used to lavishly decorate Buddhist images. Today the technique is employed on decorative boxes and other craft objects. First, layers of gold leaf made by beating gold into thin, paper-like sheets are heated and combined over a charcoal fire. The resulting foil is cut into shapes such as lines, squares, and triangles using a bamboo knife. A brush is used to apply the cut foil in the desired pattern, and the piece is complete.

Read More

Awards received

• The 70th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (2023)
• Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award

Comment on Award

If you go under the wisteria trellis, you will find the spring sunlight shining through the woven bamboo and the gentle breeze making the flower clusters sway while giving off a sweet fragrance. The beautiful scene you see when looking up from under the wisteria trellis looks as if you are looking into a kaleidoscope. I tried to express this scene using straight lines to express the light, curved lines to express the wind and added shimmering flower patterns. Also, while the cover is tetradecagonal, the box inside is octagonal, so I was able to enjoy applying kirikane cut foil on the extra space.
I am very encouraged by this award and will continue to work even harder. Thank you very much.
(from the Japan Kōgei Association newsletter)

Read More