[Gold Leaf]

Gold has attracted people's attention for a long time since the dawn of history because of its beautiful luster and its unchanging nature over the years. Gold is also a metal that has been used by humans since early times because it is soft and easy to process.

In Japan, gold has long been used to decorate Buddhist statues and halls. The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, built in the Nara period (710-794), was gold-plated on its surface and shone like gold at that time. During the time of its construction, gold was discovered for the first time in Japan in Michinoku, and a large amount of gold sand from there was used. Michinoku later became a major gold-producing region and supported the gold culture of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, as represented by Chusonji Konjikido. As large quantities of gold were exported to mainland China, rumors spread that gold could be found in abundance in Japan, and even Marco Polo's "The Travels of Marco Polo." mentions the legend of "Zipangu, the Land of Gold."

Gold mines were developed in various regions from the late Muromachi period (1336-1573), and gold production increased rapidly during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1573), when Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power. The gorgeous Momoyama culture flourished, and paintings, crafts, architecture, armor, and many other items were decorated with gold. Hideyoshi ordered the Kaga Clan to produce gold leaf, which was indispensable for the production of these items, and this led to the birth of the gold leaf production area that continues to this day, "Kanazawa is known for its gold leaf."

However, in the Edo period (1603-1867), as part of its economic policy, the shogunate issued a "ban on foiling" that restricted the production of gold and silver leaf to Edo and Kyoto. Production in other areas was prohibited, and gold leaf production in Kanazawa ceased. The turning point came in 1808, when Kanazawa Castle burned down and a large amount of gold leaf was needed to rebuild the castle, so gold leaf craftsmen were brought in from Kyoto. The Kyoto craftsmen taught the techniques to the Kanazawa craftsmen, but they were not successful, so the Kanazawa craftsmen went to Kyoto to learn the techniques. They brought back the techniques they learned there, continued to make gold leaf, and were allowed to have a factory in Kanazawa. When controls were lifted during the Meiji period (1868-1912), production increased even more, and today 98% of all gold leaf produced in Japan is made in Kanazawa.

Nosaku's Kuzushi Tare LL Gold Leaf is a gorgeous bowl with a tin body decorated with gold leaf. By slightly losing its shape, Kuzushi expresses the soft characteristics of tin, giving it a warm feeling despite its metallic nature. How about a bowl that will add color to your table for Christmas, New Year's, and other special occasions?

Nosaku's Kuzushi Tare LL Gold Leaf
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/zakka.html

References
https://hakukumiai.jp
https://kanazawa.hakuichi.co.jp/about/kinpaku_history.php
https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/kinpaku/history/index.htm
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/金#日本