Naoko Tamura

田村尚子

たむら　なおこ

Metal engraving

Metalworking techniques involving the use of chisels to engrave patterns, create openwork designs, or inlay other metals into gold, silver, copper, and other metals. Introduced from the continent during the Kofun period, these techniques have been widely used for jewelry, armor, ritual implements, and more.
Techniques are broadly categorized into hairline engraving, openwork engraving, raised relief engraving, nanako (fish-egg pattern), and inlay.
During the Edo period, the art reached its pinnacle with the development of intricate decorative techniques, epitomized by the three-piece sword fittings (mitokoromono) consisting of the tsuba (handguard), kogai (pommel), and menuki (ornamental fittings). In modern times, it evolved as a decorative technique for items like vases intended for Western markets, and today, its techniques are also utilized in jewelry making.

About the Craftsman

While studying metal engraving at Takaoka Junior College, he also received instruction from Takaoka copperware artisans Mr. Hokko Sei (a Modern Master Craftsman) and Mr. Sano Hiroyuki (a Traditional Craftsman). He then moved to Tokyo to pursue a graduate degree at Tokyo University of the Arts, specializing in metal engraving. Subsequently, he studied under Katsura Morihito (a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property), a master of Edo-period metal engraving from the Yanagawa school of Edo metalwork, mastering the technique of hammered metalwork.
In addition to creating vessels and accessories, he strives to revive techniques lost in modern times, such as the Mokume-gane (wood-grain metal) technique originating in the Muromachi period.