Hogen Mikada “The World of Exquisite Metal Craftsmanship”
The Nippon Gallery
This event has ended.
Metal engraving is a technique that creates patterns on gold, silver, copper and iron plates through the use of a small metal hammer and chisels. The excellent durability and beauty of such engravings on Buddhist statues and treasures can be seen for a long time.
The sharp edges created by the chisels contribute to the beauty of metal engraving. Hogen Mikado adds to it by using his own special technique to make his engravings appear like three dimensional, luminous objects, even though the metal surfaces are flat. Mikado uses more than 300 different kinds of chisels to create different types of patterns. The chisels can are less than 1 mm thick, and the differences between each can hardly be recognized by human eyes. Mikado sharpens his own chisels by hand, and engraves in a 3 mm pattern. His delicate engravings are exquisite, and viewers are fascinated by the beauty of his precise techniques.
On view will be 40 of Mikado’s works, including Buddhist figures, Buddhist canons, and beautiful female figures, alongside Ukiyoe by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. Please appreciate the light and darkness created by variations in reflections from engraved and untouched areas. It is refreshing for eyes that are accustomed to seeing art works in many different colors.
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Schedule
from January 15, 2014 to January 24, 2014