TAN NO SHO

鍛 (Kitae) is a technique of hammering metal to draw out its inherent properties while creating its form and expression.
It refers to "takin" (metalworking), a traditional technique that has been passed down in Japan.
As the hammer strikes repeatedly, the undulations etched by hand are not uniform, creating a texture and presence that exist only there.
The irregularities created by "takin" express the inherent power of the material itself.

Details

Hammer marks

The marks left by the metal hammering are not uniform patterns, but rather a build-up of each individual strike. The subtle variations created by the human hand are engraved onto the metal surface, creating a tension that is different from mass-produced industrial products. These organic expressions, which cannot be achieved through regularity alone, are also a characteristic of Tan no Sho.

Colors and textures achieved through traditional dyeing techniques

In the "Forging" chapter, we apply changes in color and texture to metal surfaces using traditional coloring techniques. We create a wide range of colors and textures by leveraging the inherent properties of metal components. When combined with the texture created by forging, this forms a unique presence.