![]() ![]() That is one of the amazing things about gold.” “By using just a little bit of gold, the impression of the work changes greatly. But you can change the color in a variety of ways by mixing silver or copper in with gold,” says Katsura. “Most people probably think of the golden color of pure gold when they think of gold. Katsura Morihito’s Kaeru Obidome Kanagu (frog metal sash clip) (w. The pale golden frog ( kaeru), made with a small amount of silver added to the gold, appears still but is inlaid (see here) with brilliant pure gold for the eyes, creating the impression it might jump at any time. One of his works using gold is the Kaeru Obidome Kanagu (frog metal sash clip) made in 2005. Katsura’s works come in a variety of colors, with gold playing an important role in producing these colors. “However, it is really difficult to create three-dimensional works because the shibuichi alloy is extremely hard.” “I want to create works that make the viewer wonder if what they are looking at has just moved,” says Katsura. It is in fact made of an alloy of silver and copper known as shibuichi. The sharp-eyed horned owl is so realistic that it is hard to believe it is made of metal. One of his works, the Mimizuku Koro (horned owl incense burner), features a horned owl ( mimizuku) as the handle used to open the lid of the burner. Katsura gradually gives form to birds, insects, plants, and other shapes by patiently and continuously beating a metal plate with a chisel. One feature of his works is that they are three-dimensional objects made from a single metal sheet 1.2–1.5 millimeters thick. Born in 1944, Katsura has produced many works of art since his mid 20s after training under his father who inherited the tradition of the Yanagawa school of chasing which dates back to the 17th century. Katsura Morihito is recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for these chasing techniques. And, chasing techniques began to be used to make craft items such as tobacco pipes, cigarette cases, decorative sash clips attached to the obi sash of kimono, and incense burners used for the alcove and Buddhist altars. ![]() Modernization progressed in the subsequent Meiji period (1868–1912) due to the banning by government proclamation in 1876 of the wearing of swords. The technique was used for decorations such as the handguards and hilts of swords used by the samurai and became even more highly developed during the Edo period, a period of samurai rule under the Tokugawa Shogunate of about 260 years starting in the early 17th century. The technique of chasing was perfected in around 1440. 8 cm) (1993)Ĭhasing is a traditional metalworking technique in which gold, silver, copper, iron, and other materials are engraved and embossed primarily using a chisel to create shapes and decorations. Katsura Morihito’s Mimizuku Koro (horned owl incense burner) (w. Katsura Morihito uses traditional “chasing” metalworking techniques to create works of art from gold and other materials. Katsura Morihito’s Kintsuru Suhamadai Fukugen Shincho (new reproduction of golden crane on Suhamadai) (Owned by Kasugataisha Shrine. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |