As Japan's first store specializing in mokume gane jewelry. As a leading company of world-class Japanese metalworking techniques. At Mokumeganeya, we not only explore new techniques and products, but also preserve, restore, and research mokume gane works that remain today.
Allowing more people to understand the depth of mokume gane is what will lead to the development, and ultimately the passing on, of the technique.
"Mokume gane" is a metalworking technique that originated in Japan 400 years ago during the Edo period and was used to make tsuba (sword guards) and other items.
The grain-like patterns are created by using the different colors of the metals. Because the pattern resembles that of iron sword wood (tagayasan), a type of famous tree, it is also referred to as "Tagayasan-Ji," and is widely known overseas as "mokume gane".
In the Edo period, when warfare became less frequent and peace prevailed, the sword developed more as an accessory than as a tool for fighting. The sword, a symbol of the samurai spirit, became an item to express one's individuality, and decorative techniques such as "mokume gane" were greatly developed through the production of tsuba (sword guards) to protect the hand holding the sword.
Take a look at other works
In addition to tsuba (sword guards,) metal was used for decorative parts of sword sheaths and sword accessories such as kozuka (small swords) to accompany the sword, and these "mokume gane" works still remain today.
Take a look at other works
From the mid-Edo period onward, as peace prevailed and the townspeople's culture flourished, accessories and other items became more glamorous. Works that were full of humor, with a sense of "chic and stylishness" were created, and mokume gane was used for decorating practical items such as inro (pillboxes), netsuke (miniature sculptures), kiseru, (smoking pipes) and yatate (portable writing utensils).
Take a look at other works
After the decree banning the wearing of swords was promulgated in the Meiji era, master craftsmen who had previously produced sword fittings began to produce export crafts under the initiative of the Meiji government.
Japanese craftsmanship reached its zenith, winning awards at World Expositions in Europe and the United States, and the "mokume gane" works produced during this period, along with cloisonne enamel ware and lacquerware, had a major impact overseas.
Take a look at other works
"Guri" (a technique for carving lacquer) is a type of carving lacquer in which a design such as an arabesque pattern is carved in layers of colored lacquer such as vermilion, black, and yellow.
Elaborate works of art are created with multiple layers of lacquer visible on the cross section of the pattern. The technique of mokume gane was introduced from China during the Muromachi period through tea ceremony utensils, and it is believed that this "guri" technique was applied to metal crafting at the time.
Take a look at other works
The history of mokume gane is said to be traced back to the early Edo period when Shoami Denbei of Akita, Dewa (present-day Akita Prefecture), invented the tsuba (sword guard) in the "guribori" style.
It is made of multiple layers of different colored metal, engraved with arabesque or spiral patterns.
Its origin is generally believed to be from the Chinese lacquer technique called "guri".
Take a look at other works
In addition to tsuba (sword guards), metal was used for decorative parts of sword sheaths and sword accessories such as kozuka (small swords) to accompany the sword, and these "guribori" works still remain today.
Take a look at other works
"Yosegane" is a technique in which different colored metals are combined to create a pattern, similar to marquetry. The works created using techniques such as "mokume gane" and "kiribame zogan" (inlaying with cutlery) are extremely ornate decorative techniques.
Take a look at other works
Tsuba with design of woodgrain pattern. Signed:”Tsunetada, a resident of Kawagoe,Musashi province”
Late Edo period. Shakudo,Copper
Tsuba with design of woodgrain pattern. Unsigned.
Late Edo period.Shakudo,Copper
Tsuba with design of maple leaf floating on a stream. Signed:”Takahashi Okitsugu,”with kao.
Mid-do-late Edo period. Shakudo,Shibuichi
Tsuba with design of woodgrain pattern. Signed:”Shoami Morikuni, a resident of Matsuyama,Iyo province”
Take a look at other collection
Close
Fuchi-kashira with design of maple leaf floating on a stream. Signed:”Takahashi Okitsugu,”with kao.
Mid-do-late Edo period. Shakudo,Shibuichi
Menuki with design of woodgrain pattern. Unsigned.
Late Edo period. Gold.Shakudo,Copper
Kozuka. Front:Iroe. Backside: woodgrain pattern.
Late Edo to Meiji period. Shakudo,Copper,Gold
Kozuka with design of woodgrain pattern. Unsigned.
Mid-to-late Edo period. Shakudo,Copper,Gold
Take a look at other collection
Close
Yatate with design of woodgrain pattern.
Late Edo period. Shakudo, Pure Copper
Netsuke with design of woodgrain pattern.
Late Edo period. Shakudo , Pure copper
Yatate with design of woodgrain pattern.
Late Edo period. Copper, Shakudo, Brass
Take a look at other collection
Close
Kozuchi with woodgrain pattern.
Meiji period. Copper,Shakudo,Gold,Brass
Match case with woodgrain pattern.
Meiji period. Copper,Shakudo,Gold,Silver
Pot with woodgrain pattern.Gyokumei Shindo.
Copper,Kuromido
Take a look at other collection
Close
Incense Container. Guri type carved lacquer with spiral motifs.
Ming dynasty. Laquer
Inro and Netsuke. Guri type carved lacquer with spiral motifs.
Late Edo period. Lacquer
Incense Container. Guri type carved lacquer with spiral motifs.
Ming dynasty. Lacquer
Black lacquer and carved on the pipecase and tobacco box in guri style with Gigaku mask.
Late Edo to early Meiji periods
Take a look at other collection
Close
Tsuba with designed of guri scrolls. Signed:”Takahashi Okitsugu,”
Mid-do-late Edo period. Shakudo,Copper
Tsuba with designed of guri scrolls. Unsigned.
Mid-to-late Edo period. Shakudo, Copper, Shibuichi
Tsuba with openwork design of guri scrolls. Signed:”Shigenao” with kao.
Mid-to-late Edo period. Shakudo, Copper
Tsuba with designed of guri scrolls. Unsigned.
Mid-to-late Edo period. Shakudo, Copper
Take a look at other collection
Close
Fuchi-kashira with designed of guri scrolls. Signed:”Takahashi Okitsugu”.
Mid-do-late Edo period. Shakudo,Copper
Fuchi-kashira with design of guri scrolls. Signed “Tomoyoshi”, with kao.
Mid Edo period. Shakudo,Copper
Kozuka with design of guri scrolls.
Unsigned. Mid-to-late Edo period. Silver,Shakudo,Copper
Kojiri with design of guri scrolls.
Mid-to-late Edo period. Silver, Shakudo, Copper
Take a look at other collection
Close
Bashin with design 0f woodgrain pattern on checkerwork.
Late Edo period. Silver,shakudo, pure copper
Kogai with design of woodgrain pattern on checkwork.
Late Edo period. Sliver, Shakudo, Pure Copper
Ojime with design 0f woodgrain pattern.
Late Edo period. top: Silver, Shakudo, Copper bottom: Silver,Shakudo
Take a look at other collection
Close
Mokumeganeya is participating in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Edo Tokyo Kirari Project" to introduce innovative products to the world using mokume gane, a traditional metalworking technique from the Edo period. The "Edo-Tokyo Kirari Project" is an initiative to highlight the techniques and products rooted in the traditions of Edo Tokyo as treasures of the city and promote them to the world.
EDO TOKYO KIRARI WEB site : https://en.edotokyokirari.jp/
Mokumeganeya is participating in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Edo Tokyo Kirari Project"
