Takaoka Copperware | Orii’s Traditional Metal Coloring
Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture is home to Takaoka copperware, a tradition of metal craftsmanship with more than 400 years of history.
Among the workshops in Takaoka is one that has specialized in a single craft: adding color to copper and brass.
That workshop is Momentum Factory Orii.
Rather than applying paint to the surface, Orii uses a distinctive technique that creates color through chemical reactions within the metal itself.
In this article, we explore this traditional coloring technique and the unique tableware it brings to life.
What Is Takaoka Copperware?
Takaoka copperware is a traditional form of metal craftsmanship produced in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture.
Its history dates back to 1611.
Maeda Toshinaga, the feudal lord of the Kaga Domain, invited seven metal casters to Takaoka, laying the foundations for the city's metalworking industry.
For more than 400 years, Takaoka has continued to produce a wide variety of metalwork, from cooking vessels and Buddhist ceremonial objects to vases and fine art pieces.
Coloring: Another Essential Craft
One of the defining characteristics of Takaoka copperware is its remarkable range of colors.
These colors are not created by simply applying paint.
Instead, traditional coloring techniques make use of the natural properties of copper and brass. Chemicals and heat are used to create reactions on the metal itself, producing distinctive colors and patterns.
In Takaoka, there is a workshop that has dedicated itself specifically to mastering this art of metal coloring.
About Momentum Factory Orii
Momentum Factory Orii was founded in 1950 as "Orii Chakushokusho," a workshop specializing in metal coloring.
Since its founding, the workshop has colored a wide range of cast-metal works, including bronze statues, Buddhist statues, and fine art pieces.
Today, the company is led by third-generation craftsman Koji Orii.
While preserving the traditional coloring techniques passed down through generations, Orii continues to develop new methods and explore new possibilities for metal.
Traditional Techniques, Many Expressions
Orii has inherited a number of traditional coloring techniques over the generations.
One of these is "Niiro," a technique in which metal is heated in a solution containing copper sulfate and copper carbonate to develop its color.
Another is "Nukayaki," in which a rice-bran-based paste is applied to the metal and heated with a burner, creating distinctive patterns on the surface.
There is also "Ohaguro," a traditional technique that involves carefully working and polishing the metal to create its characteristic depth and luster.
Each technique brings out a different expression from the metal.
A New Challenge: Coloring Metal Less Than 1 mm Thick
Orii has not only preserved traditional techniques but has also taken on challenges that were previously considered difficult in the world of Takaoka copperware.
One such challenge was coloring extremely thin sheets of copper and brass measuring less than one millimeter in thickness.
After years of experimentation, Orii succeeded in developing techniques that could be applied to these delicate metal sheets.
This innovation led to new finishes such as "Hanmon Kujaku," which produces complex, vibrant colors reminiscent of a peacock's feathers.
Discover Orii Tableware at Mikan
More than 400 years of Takaoka metalworking tradition meet the unique coloring techniques refined by Orii.
Together, they create metal tableware and objects in which no two pieces have exactly the same appearance.
At Mikan, you can discover a selection of tableware created by Momentum Factory Orii.
Although made from metal, each piece possesses a warmth and depth of color reminiscent of wood or ceramics.
Discover the unique character of Orii craftsmanship and experience these remarkable colors for yourself.