Metal Hammering The Art of OKUYAMA Hoseki

One of the techniques of traditional Japanese metal craftsmanship is “tankin,“ in which metal hammers and wooden mallets are used to spread metal to create containers. OKUYAMA Hoseki was recognized as Holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property of Tankin in 1995. This film is a detailed record of his use of traditional tankin techniques in the creation of the silver inlaid vase (gin-uchikomizogan-kaki) “Wakame“. It depicts how he hammers and spreads a silver ingot to create a pot, the delicate work involved in inlaying, and the refined luster given to the silver surface of the piece by a finisher.