Adding Depth and Elegance to the Design
The metal patterns on the Tsuya no Sho series by Yukyu Jinro are finished by hand, piece by piece, in Kyoto workshops.
Japan has long preserved the tradition of Maki-e—an art form that creates beautiful designs by fusing gold powder with lacquer—and has expanded this practice to include various other metal powders, such as silver and platinum. Japanese lacquer has been used as a coating, a pigment, and an adhesive to create beauty.
Maki-e has lent a unique texture and beauty to countless lacquerware pieces.
In a sense, it represents a fusion of lacquer and metal powder.
As for Yukyu Jinro, a mixture of brass or tin powder is carefully applied to patterns carved into the lacquer coating via precision machining; artisans then polish each piece individually.
During the polishing process, excess metal powder is gradually removed from the surface, leaving the metal only within the recessed areas of the pattern. This allows the metallic design to emerge quietly from the jet-black lacquer, transforming the precision-carved motif into a finish with greater dimensionality and depth.
This process demands more than mere polishing technique.
The way the metal powder remains and the resulting texture vary significantly depending on the timing and the pressure applied during polishing—factors determined by carefully assessing the state of the lacquer. Consequently, each product is brought to completion through the manual craftsmanship of artisans possessing years of experience and a refined sensibility.
The allure of this decorative technique lies in a sense of dimensionality that standard painting cannot achieve. The metal powder reveals different facets as it catches the light, creating a refined, subdued radiance through its contrast with the jet-black of the lacquer. As the piece is used over time, its character deepens, offering a warmth not found in mass-produced industrial goods.
Towards the Future of Craftsmanship
Yukyu Jinro places the fusion of industry and traditional craftsmanship at the very core of its brand. Artisans breathe life into metal machined with micron-level precision through their own handiwork. This process allows seemingly contradictory qualities—precision and warmth, uniformity and individuality—to coexist within a single product.
We adopted this technique for reasons that go beyond mere decoration.
Our aim is to bridge the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship—handed down across the country—and modern products, ensuring that this value endures for the future. This vision is embodied in every single piece.
The metal powder serves a purpose far greater than simply adorning the surface.
Bonded to the metal with Japanese lacquer, it subtly shifts in appearance as it catches the light, marking the passage of time alongside the user.
It is a beauty unique to Yukyu Jinro—born from the meeting of industrial precision and the warmth of traditional craftsmanship.
