GYOKUSENDO
EXCEPTIONAL OBJECTS MADE BY HAND.
Gyokusendo was founded in 1816. For more than 200 years already, the craftsmen of the manufacture have devoted themselves entirely to the realization of hand-hammered Tsuiki copper utensils. In Japan, Tsuiki represents a particular know-how and method of working copper by hammering it with hammers. "Tsui" means hammer and "ki" means to lift. After showing their production for the first time at the Vienna World's Fair in 1873, Gyokusendo's utensils have won more than 30 awards in Japan and abroad.
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AN ANCESTRAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS
The factory has around 20 artisans. It takes 15 to 20 years for a craftsman from Gyokusendo to master all the techniques necessary to make a piece. Within the manufacture, the work on a part is not divided and shared between several craftsmen. The same craftsman is therefore responsible for the quality of each step in the manufacture of the same part. The manufacturing process has been kept identically from generation to generation and was designated an “Intangible Cultural Treasure” by Niigata Prefecture and the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency in 1950. -
THE ART OF HAMMER
The first step is to lift the edges of the 1.2mm thick copper plate using a large wooden mallet. We then obtain a 3-dimensional object. The diameter can then be gradually reduced with the use of hammers knowing that each hammer blow must not cover the mark left by the previous one. The angle and the impact force are decisive for the final result. The making of a tea caddy takes about 15 days and up to 3 months for exceptional pieces. -
THE TORIGUCHI
The objects being shaped are suspended and / or held using a uniquely hand-crafted cast iron rod called "Toriguchi" (bird's beak). The Toruguchi is one of the most important tools for the craftsman and it is used in different ways depending on the techniques practiced in the manufacturing process. There are several types (approx. 200 at Gyokusendo) depending on the needs, they help to obtain the desired shape.
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* All images are taken from the official Gyokusendo website