Kanazawa and Kyoto: Fusion of Inherited Techniques
Under the auspices of the Lord of Kaga Hyaku-man-goku, Maeda Toshiie, Kanazawa City began to get involved in gold foil production in the late 16th century. At the end of Edo period, the first gold-inlaid handicraft was produced. After that, business gradually prospered. In Meiji period, gold foil production became a representative industry of Kanazawa. Today, Japan’s domestic output, 99% of gold foil and 100% of silver foil come from Kanazawa.
The foil produced in Kanazawa is called “Kanazawa foil”. It is designated as a rare traditional craft material of the country, extremely thin and bright in color. For example, the large-scale “tie-forming gold foil” production technique, which implies forming a tie, is particularly rare today. Whether it can be passed on from generation to generation has become an imminent issue.
One of the features of Nishijin textile in Koto and Kyoto, as a synonym of gorgeous textile, is “gold and silver foil”. Gold and silver foil is placed on a piece of paper. Silks are cut and processed carefully. Finally, the textile was woven into foil using non-twisting technique.
Thanks to the proficient and superb skills developed by traditional craftsmen in various fields, the “tie-forming gold foil” of Kanazawa and the “gold and silver foil” sticking technique of Kyoto and Nishijin textile, which are called the acmes of handicraft, also turn over a new leaf of flooring.
Combining the ideas of Ikuta and Golden valor, Gold foil flooring was born and allowed the superb traditional techniques of Japan to be passed down from generation to generation.
The world’s thinnest and most beautiful “tie-forming gold foil” was born under the proficient and superb skills of traditional craftsmen.
In gold and silver foil technique, gold and silver is directly attached.
“Tie-forming gold foil” is extremely thin, with ventilation holes. Even if it is attached to natural flooring, degradation seldom occurs. It is really a terrific material.
