Artisan craftsmanship infuses the metal with warmth
The Tan no Sho of Yukyu Jinro is finished piece by piece by artisans in a Kyoto metal-hammering workshop.
Metal hammering (Tankin) is a quintessential Japanese metalworking technique that shapes and textures metal by striking it with a hammer, utilizing its malleability and ductility. Its history is ancient; originating globally around 4000 BC and arriving in Japan alongside metal culture during the Yayoi period, the technique has been passed down through the ages, shaping diverse objects such as bronze mirrors, armor, Buddhist ritual implements, and tea ceremony utensils.
Tankin differs from processes that shape metal by cutting or shaving away material.
By repeatedly striking the metal with a hammer, the material itself is transformed, creating depth and texture. The accumulation of individual strikes imbues the metal with a unique character, creating a warmth absent in mass-produced industrial goods.
The workshop is lined with hammers of various sizes—dozens of them, each differing in shape and weight. There are round hammers, flat hammers, small ones, and large ones. Artisans carefully select the right tool for the desired texture or curve, meticulously layering strike upon strike.
The passion imbued in every piece
The product of Yukyu Jinrou features a hammered finish on the copper handle.
At first glance, the hammering might appear random, but the size, spacing, and force of each strike are all carefully calculated. Too much force causes distortion; too little fails to create the desired character. The goal is to achieve a finish that is uniform yet retains a natural, organic variation. This exquisite balance relies on the artisan's intuition, honed through years of experience.
And no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
Even when the same artisan uses the same hammer and follows the same process, subtle differences emerge in the hammered pattern of each piece. These differences are not mere errors; they are the mark of the human hand at work. As the copper is used over time, its hue deepens; the hammered finish softly catches the light, evolving into a unique character that belongs solely to its owner.
Yukyu Jinro chose the technique of Tankin not merely to incorporate traditional craft as a decorative element. Rather, the aim was to bridge Japan’s superb metalworking heritage with daily necessities, thereby creating new value.
— Precision born of exacting machining.
— Warmth born of metal hammering.
The fusion of these two elements results in a piece that transcends mere functionality.
Tankin is more than just technique.
It is a Japanese craft in which the artisan’s time and spirit are imbued into the metal with every single blow. The artisan’s skill breathes warmth into the metal.