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Japanese Traditional CraftsKanazawa foil, also widely known as “gold leaf,” is more than just "thin gold. It is a tool for designing the atmosphere of a place by bundling light into a surface. Craftsmen do not beat the gold to make it thinner, but rather remove excess thickness and irregularities. What remains is almost only "light. The land of Kanazawa has breathed this work for 400 years.

This article will extensively unravel the philosophy and production methods of Kanazawa foil, which continues to evolve while remaining rooted in tradition, as well as introduce stores where it can be purchased in Sapporo.

 

 

Aesthetics of uniformity fostered by a rainy city

Winter in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a city with few sunny days. Dampness can be depressing, but this can be an ally for foil. If it is too dry, static electricity will run rampant and tear the paper, and if it is too wet, the paper will sleep.Moderate moisture soothes ultra-thin gold, paper and air.It is a

The ultra-thinness referred to here is a world generally described as roughly around 0.1 micrometer (a few hundredths of a hair). Although the values vary slightly by manufacturer and standard, it can be said to be "a thickness that can be handled with bated breath.

 

Craftsman Time and Manufacturing Process

The production of Kanazawa foil begins with the process of beating gold between sheets of Uchigami (beaten paper) with a mallet to extend the thickness. Uniform thickness can be obtained by precisely controlling the strength and rhythm of the beating and the durability of the paper. This process requires fine-tuning based on hearing and sensation rather than sight.

The characteristic of Kanazawa foil finished in this way is not its strong reflection but its calmness as a surface. Its value lies in the fact that it does not excessively assert light, but rather emits a subdued radiance in a space. This is the reason why Kanazawa foil is used for the walls of shrines and temples, tea ceremony utensils, etc., as it has the property of reducing its assertiveness and enhancing other elements.

The foiling process is not a "finishing touch" but part of the overall designIt is. The final beauty depends on the precision of the substrate. For wood, the conduits must be filled in, for plaster, the suction must be even, and for lacquer, the plane of the grinding must be strictly aligned. Even the slightest distortion of the substrate will show itself in the thin foil.

Therefore, much of the work is spent on the setup prior to applying the paste. We proceed by optimizing one by one such factors as the condition of the material, adjustment of temperature and humidity, and selection of adhesives (glue, starch paste, synthetic resins, etc.). The quality of the foil is almost entirely determined by the design prior to application.

The effect of thinness is twofold. The first is "economy. Thin materials not only increase material efficiency, but also streamline transportation and installation. Second is "ethics. Avoiding the authoritativeness of thickness and weight, a small amount of membrane can enhance the dignity of a space.

The "understated luxury" that is part of the Japanese sense of beauty is supported by this thinness technology.

 

Application of gold leaf to real life situations.

1. architecture and interior design

The Great Wall of Gold is spectacular, but it is not just a matter of space. We recommend a layout that "makes dots look like lines and lines look like surfaces. Turn it in a narrow strip above the baseboard, lay it at the back of a niche, or use it for the kick of a stair tread.

The trick, which can be seen for the first time in the oblique incidence of the view, works the more you live in it.

2. vessels and tools

The beauty of a vessel is that it glows in the hand. We recommend using “particles” such as kirifoil and sunago (sand) rather than full foil. When mixed with the surface tension of a drink or the steam from a dish, you can enjoy reflections that change with time.

3. food presentation

Edible gold leaf is distributed within safety standards. It does not govern taste, but instead allows meaning to govern. Gold does not alter taste, but instead amplifies the narrative of place.

 

The beauty of “eternal color” and “eternal color” in Kanazawa foil dishes

Bowl sets and accessory cases are made of a light wood base of a stopper (sen), which is ground by Yamanaka Lacquerware's advanced rokuro technique, and decorated with Foilza's unique pure gold and platinum foil. By decorating the outside with a dot pattern and the inside with a die-cut pattern,It creates a simple yet modern Japanese look.The following is a list of the most common problems with the

The foil is ultra-thin and soft, creating shadows along the striations and grain of the wood. By combining two different colors inside and outside, the natural wood surface contrasts with the luster of the metal, creating a sense of depth as it is used.

."Eternal Colors"
Heavy golden color with 99% gold and 1% platinum.
."Kuon-iro"
The clear, champagne gold-like luster produced by 92% gold and 8% platinum.

 Each has its own unique presence, and the more you use it, the deeper it becomes.

 

Learning in the region and connecting to the future

A walk through Kanazawa reveals that foil is not so much a sightseeing specialty as it is at the heart of daily life, faith, and craftsmanship. The transoms of machiya houses, the decorations of butsudan (Buddhist altar) stores, and the illumination of galleries are all quietly rooted in everyday life. While there are some excessive displays that are typical of a tourist destination, discerning the boundary between moderation and excess is part of the learning experience.

There are opportunities to apply foil to small objects in hands-on classes, but it is more difficult to "get it right" than the work itself. Even though it is easy to apply the foil, understanding the environment and handling is essential to keep it beautiful. The material is always in dialogue with the environment, just as it will change as soon as it is placed in a humid place.

Such on-site sensibility is also important for the future of Kanazawa foil.Gold is recyclable.and foil is a low-use material, but the manufacturing process involves many environmental issues such as waste liquids, adhesives, and paper resources. Sustainable manufacturing is supported by the transparency of the entire process, not just the material itself. The accumulation of the process of renewing culture while sharing the choices and backgrounds of both the producing region and the users is the power that connects tradition as an industry to the future.

 

Kanazawa Foil Vessels at a store in Kita Maruyama, Sapporo

located in Kita Maruyama, Sapporo, Japan.Japanese Modern N6 Kita MaruyamaAt the "Kanazawa Foil Museum," visitors can actually hold in their hands and check the bowl sets, accessory cases, and other craft items made of Kanazawa foil before purchasing them. The harmony of the light wood and metallic luster, the texture and weight that can be felt in the hand, and the delicate shading created by the light of the foil. You will be able to feel all of them directly.

In addition to Kanazawa foil products, the store also has a variety of other products that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.Traditional crafts with contemporary designare all available. With their elegant and serene brilliance, they blend naturally into any space. This is the place where you can find special items that harmonize Japanese tradition and modern sensibilities. Please take this opportunity to visit the store and take a look at the products in person.

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