NIPPONIA No. 45 June 15, 2008
Special Feature
“Japan, the Land of Gold.” How True Is the Old Legend?
Coins from the age of gold
Left: Tensho o-ban gold coin minted in the 16th century, under orders from Toyotomi Hideyoshi. About 17 cm long and 10 cm wide.
Middle: Man’en ko-ban coin from the 19th century.
Rignt: Keicho ko-ban coin from the 17th century. (Property of the Bank of Japan Currency Museum)
Off to battle in style
It is said that the feudal lord of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshiie (1538-1599), went to battle wearing swords in red lacquer scabbards with sprinkled gold illustrations of dragons. The use of gold in craftsmanship reached a new height in 16th century Japan. (Property of Oyama Shrine; photo credit: Tokyo National Museum)
Theatrical dance in gold
Noh theater costume from the Edo period (1603-1867). Lacquer was applied to lines forming the motif on the entire garment, and then gold leaf was stuck to the lacquer. (Property of the Hayashibara Museum of Art)
Gold and lacquer, the ultimate in refinement
Sprinkling flakes of gold on lacquer to make maki-e illustrations has been practiced without a break for more than 1,200 years. This Yatsuhashi maki-e raden suzuri-bako sprinkled gold and mother-of-pearl box was made to store an ink stone. The remarkably fresh motif is the work of Ogata Korin, known as “the designer of the Edo period.” It is considered one of the best works of the time. (Property of the Tokyo National Museum)
