Several from my collection.
Fred, I loved your talk a couple of years ago on Ojime and I am sure this one will be even more mesmerizing. The quality and detail in such a small package is just incredible in ojime. In fact, they make many beads look quite crude by comparison!
From my layperson's memory (and please cut me a little slack...as Steve Tyler says, there's a lot about the 70s I don't remember) did you tell us back then that the artisans of ojime actually acquired their skills as makers of swords? And if so, they were skilled at metallurgy, so could these artisans be credited with creating alloys possibly not done before?
I'm thinking of the super work of Bob Burket, and the lovely dragonfly of his that I have. The wings, sterling, the body, legs and head, shibuichi. Which he says is 10% silver and 90% copper. This brown alloy has a neat silvery sheen.
Is this metal related to the items in Rosanna's image? Could you tell us a little bit about Japanese alloys, and whether their development was parallel with the era of netsuke, ojime and inro? Many thanks.
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.
Wow, this answer from Mr Chavez is why I joined BCN and was worth the entire price of admission and a whole lot more. Thank you so much. Paul
I have loved Japanese art, textiles, and the distinctive and beautiful metal work since I was in grade school, when a family friend brought me a kimono and obi (child-size) from a trip to Japan.
The photo below is not a bead, but a lovely brooch brought back to the US by my father, who was stationed in Japan after the war. It is about 60 mm in length. One of my favorite family heirloom pieces.
