Arakawa's Artisans
Arakawa Ward Traditional Crafts Preservation Society
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa
Metalworking
A technique in which metal sheets, such as copper or silver, are shaped by hammering them with wooden or metal hammers to stretch or compress them, thereby creating vessels, ornaments, and other items.This technique was introduced during the Yayoi period and was used in ancient times to produce horse tack, jewelry, and Buddhist ritual implements. During the Edo period, “silversmiths” (shirogane-shi) were active in crafting silverware for feudal lords. In modern times, Japan began exporting items such as flower vases to Western countries, and the tradition continues today in the production of tea sets, tableware, and decorative items.
The Work of an Artisan
The Process of Making a Copper Teapot by Metal Forging- Use metal shears to cut the board into a circle
- Heat the ingredients to soften them
- Shape it by striking it with a hammer or mallet while using a striking block
- Repeat Steps 2 and 3
- Imprint a pattern onto the formed material