| Original Message: Answers for Joyce |
|---|
|
From my paper presented in The International Bead and Beadwork Conference in Istanbul, 2007: "The Japanese mastery of metal smithing is famously exemplified in the making of swords. During the long peace of the Edo period, the status and function of the sword changed. The late nineteenth century, the Meiji period, marked the end of Japan's isolation from the world. For makers of sword fittings it meant that both the makers and swords became obsolete. The use of the sword was banned, and swordsmiths either had to adapt their metal craft to other objects or change their professions. Some turned to making ojime, thus preserving traditional miniature metal working techniques. This high level of technical sophistication reached its peak in the late nineteenth century when multimetal ojime were produced. Japan is one of few areas in the world in which a wide variety of metals were used in a single ornament. The innovative success of the Japanese use of metals lies in the painterly use of gold and silver, for example, or on shakudo, -gold and copper- and other combinations of metals." And yes, Rosanna's brooch is an example of the finest in craftsmanship in metal smithing which was sometimes applied to the making of exquisite ojime and less often used in the making of netsuke and inro. All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
|
|