Kanazawa accounts for over 98% of Japan's gold leaf production.

In Kanazawa, the skill of gold leaf craftsman has been inherited not only because of the climate of this land, but also because of the passion of Kanazawa's foil craftsmen who have inherited and refined excellent technology. 

 A natural wooden bowl with a beautiful gold grain that is drawn with this gold leaf. Both Japanese and Western dining tables are brilliantly colored.<<New beauty for use>> Enjoy the present with natural beauty and traditional beauty Not limited to beauty, we thought about using it in a modern living environment and realized a crisp design in a warm atmosphere. By adding a “gold leaf” rag moon to the bare wood that makes the best use of the wood grain, the wood grain becomes a landscape and becomes beautiful and firm Dable wear.This vessel is the product of a combination of craftsmanship. A thin wood carved by a skilled wood master has been painted to bring out the beauty of the wood, and on the moon, the foil-painting craftsmen express the scenery that floats in the sky with only gold leaf.

1. The beginning of gold leaf

History of Japan and gold leaf

The exact details of when the first gold / silver leaf was made in Japan have not been clarified.

In the old days, accessories from the Kofun period with gold leaf have been excavated.

Since ancient times, gold has been used in temple architecture and Buddhist sculpture as a symbol of eternity and immutability. With the penetration of the Japanese Buddhist culture that developed into Heian, Muromachi, and Azuchi Momoyama, it is possible to say that the traditional foil-making technology of China has become established as unique to Japan and has developed to the present day.

History of Kanazawa and gilt

It is not certain when the production of gold leaf and silver leaf began in Kanazawa. In order to decorate the warrior's gathering, etc., the territory of Kaga, Noto, and the letter that orders the production of gold leaf, silver leaf is sent to the beginning.

Kanazawa foil that the climate of Hokuriku grew up

One of the reasons that Kanazawa has developed as a gold leaf production area is the “Hokuriku climate” that is blessed with humidity, temperature, and water quality suitable for foil production, and the patient “professional popularity” that has been nurtured here. And two factors, "Technology" and "Technology".

2. Sengoku period and Kanazawa foil

Money that has been regarded as a symbol of power

Hideyoshi Toyotomi, known for his love of gold, used gold leaf for the castle tower and furniture. A large amount of gold leaf tiles have been excavated from the Kaga Great Maeda Toshiie, Juraku No., where Daimyo et al. Had a mansion, and the Fushimi Castle, including the Maeda family crest Umebachi crested tile. As a symbol of power, it is speculated that Daimyo used gold leaf in various places such as tiles and interior decorations.

Kanazawa foil that has been kept secretly

In the days of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the production of gold leaf and silver leaf was strictly controlled as a policy to solidify the economic system of the shogunate. It was strictly forbidden in land other than Edo and Kyoto by the “Prohibition of Foil Stamping”. However, the foil setting was secretly continued mainly in the Kaga Domain. Amid such circumstances, Kaga Kaji focused on the development of traditional crafts such as Kutani ware, Wajima lacquer, Yamanaka lacquer, and Kaga lacquer, and laid the foundation for today's craft kingdom Ishikawa.

Hana in Kanazawa

Opportunities for Kanazawa's foil came under the 5th year of culture (1808) while the “banning of foiling” was practiced. A large amount of gold leaf was needed to reconstruct the burned-out Kanazawa Castle and Ninomaru Palace, and Sakai ordered the foil tycoon from Kyoto to the foil store Sasuke who had been engaged in the stamping foil business, calling for skilled craftsmen from Kyoto. It was. With this opportunity, there was a movement between Kanazawa townspeople to establish a foil manufacturing industry, but the Shogunate issued and controlled a “ban on foiling” three times in the 3rd, 7th and 9th years of Bunsei. I will continue. However, Kaga Kaji kept secretly setting up the foil, centering on the craftwork.

In 1830, the Goto family from the Edo Kinza lined up the sign of the “Gold Leaf Consignment Office” with the help of the Samurai, and it was attached to Notoya Sasuke and became Hiroka In 2845 (1845), the official permission to sell Edo foil will be granted.

3. Development of modern Kanazawa foil

Meiji Restoration and Kanazawa Leaf Development

Kanazawa's gold leaf has undergone remarkable development both in quality and quantity, with the acquisition of a license for the use of the Kaga coffee in 1841. With the abolition of Hakuza and the collapse of the Edo Shogunate due to the Meiji Restoration, the control of the gold leaf industry was disrupted, and the superiority of the Kanazawa foil increased rapidly.

World War and Kanazawa foil leap

In the war of World War I, until the war of World War I, Germany, which was the largest foil production area in Europe, was devastated, and the foil industry in Kanazawa developed dramatically. The Kanazawa Haku has been developed to this day with deep roots in faith such as Buddhist altars, Buddhist wares, and Mizuhiki.

4. Possibility of unlimited Kanazawa foil

Kanazawa foil that continues to evolve

Kanazawa foil, which was a material, has now been recognized as a Kanazawa foil craft and has established itself as a representative traditional craft of the craft kingdom Kanazawa. Gold leaf has been used not only for crafts, but also for food and cosmetics, and recently, demand is growing as one of the materials that expands the new expression of architecture and interior.

Expressive power of Kanazawa foil

Kanazawa Foil is a generic term for not only gold foil but also silver foil, tin foil, brass foil, and other foils. In addition to expressing the color of the metal itself, the expression can be expanded infinitely by changing the blending, applying special processing, or changing the way it is applied.

Kanazawa Leaf will continue to create a new history.