Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


This Guest Post is by Lisa Shoreland who was born and raised in Japan.

Japanese Shakudō
Shakudō is a Japanese term for a low gold content alloy used in certain types of jewelry and ornamentation. The somewhat esoteric technique has a long and colorful history, and knowing it is sure to raise our appreciation for the delicate process and its breathtakingly beautiful products. Shown here are the amazing designs by Kaz Ichikawa of KAZNESQ who has won many prizes for his work.  Some of his collection epitomizes the beautiful technique.

Shakudo Technique



Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq
Shakudo Technique


Origins of Japanese Shakudō
Traditionally, the Japanese employed the shakudō to decorate katana (longsword) fittings. These included tsuba (the guard at the end of the grip) and kozuka (the grip of a small knife). The alloy formed a base for inlays and accompanying patinas for which Japanese decorative katana are so celebrated.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


As the samurai class grew obsolete in the 19th century, visitors from the West showed interest in shakudō and carried its influence across the seas. Although many westerners believed never to have encountered shakudō before, recent evidence points to its use by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and even Romans. The art likely started in said regions and traveled east to Japan over time.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


Post-Samurai Shakudō
The fall of the samurai didn’t shake shakudō artisans, however, and the art continued to flourish both in the West and East. It is today most often used in the technique of mokume-gane, a layering process that creates a mixed-metal laminate. This technique, too, owes its claim to fame to the samurai; it came about in the process of forging swords and other weaponry for the warrior class in the 17th century.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


The term shakudō today has become somewhat generalized to indicate any Japanese damascened ornament or jewelry. Such decorative objects are often referred to as Amita damascene, after a 20th century manufacturer.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


The Colors of Shakudō

The traditional shakudō alloy contains only trace amounts of gold—typically 4%, but ranging from 2 all the way to 25%—with the rest being mostly copper. It is treated with a chemical solution to achieve its trademark blue or purplish hue, although some manufacturers pride themselves on a chocolaty, earthen finish.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq
Shakudo Technique

Japanese artists were (and remain today) known sticklers for colors. This, in fact, ties directly to how the hues of shakudō were initially achieved by the Japanese. Artisans tired of gold, copper, and silver hues and began experimenting for broader ranges of color. They found that surface chemical treatment of copper and copper alloys with a low content of gold produced blue- and purple-black. The kanji characters spelling shakudō literally translate to “red copper,” but the art has often been referred to as “black gold,” “crow’s gold,” or “crow’s copper,” owing to a crow’s purple-black plumage.

Japanese Shakudo Jewelry by Kaznesq


Shakudō Jewelry
Despite its martial origins, shakudō should not be treated roughly by its wearer! Remove any shakudō jewelry before cleansing, exercising, and applying ointments or lotions, since chemicals can eventually remove the piece’s protective coating. To clean the piece itself, one should employ a soft cloth with no abrasive cleansers.

Shakudo Technique

Shakudo Technique


Bio: Lisa Shoreland is currently a resident blogger at Go College, where recently she's been researching student loan application tips as well as student loan default recovery. In her spare time, she enjoys creative writing, practicing martial arts, and taking weekend trips.

Other Japanese Inspirations and Tutorials
Disclosure This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.

______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips