Hana Fuuri / Paper Knife

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

A Paper Knife with a delicate silhouette that features a scene of cherry blossoms appearing, flourishing, and petals scattering, expressed in a gradient through the techniques of engraving and openwork.
Cherry blossoms are recognized as quintessentially Japanese both domestically and internationally.
The petals are modularized to create a cohesive visual impression, blending organically yet fitting seamlessly into minimal spaces.

A faint pink hue of copper links to the cherry blossoms, giving a soft and warm impression despite being made of metal.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1200 years ago / 800AD / Heian period in Japan

The history of metal crafts is said to date back as far as the creation of Buddhist statues in the Heian period (794-1185). Also, the techniques are divided into six categories: casting, forging, engraving, Kazari-gane, inlaying, and cloisonne.

The history of metal products themselves dates back to the early Yayoi period. In the Nara period (710-794), as Buddhism flourished, temples and Buddhist statues were built one after another. Metalworking techniques developed accordingly. In the Heian period (794-1185), goldsmiths moved from Nara to Kyoto, and many metal products were made in Kyoto.

During the Muromachi period (1333-1573), vases, incense burners, and colored candlesticks were introduced from China and influenced Japanese metal crafts. During the Momoyama period (1573-1600), several foundry families gathered in Kamanza, Kyoto, and made pots, kettles, and other everyday items, as well as mirrors.

Other decorative arts such as weapons, armor, and swords were also remarkably developed, and these techniques were handed down to the Edo period (1603-1868). Many metal crafts of high artistic value from ancient times remain today.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Katsuhiko Noyori / NOYORI
This company began in 1970, when the founder, Minoru Noyori, established the Noyori Shin-Butsugu Kazari-kanagu Shop on his own in Tachibana-cho, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, a location that is center for the production of Owari Buddhist altar implements. The company hand-fashions ornamental metal fittings for shrines, temples, Buddhist altar implements, festival implements, and other such applications. In 1988, the second proprietor, Katsuhiko Noyori, took over operation and renamed the business “Noyori Co., Ltd.” He is a traditional craftsman who carries on the skills and techniques of Owari Buddhist altar implements, a traditional handicraft that has been continued since Japan’s feudal Edo period (approximately the year 1600).

 

Craftsman Passion

"Ornamental metal fittings demanding traditionally cultivated beauty and high levels of skill"
The ornamental metal fittings used in Buddhist and Shinto altar implements and festival implements are called “kazari-kanagu.” The nuance communicated by the special Chinese character used to write this Japanese word is “more ornate and magnificent,” and as befits this weighty word, we diligently apply ourselves with pride and positive self-regard, day in and day out.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：19.5cm
Depth：3cm
Height：1cm
Weight：31g

Material & Caution

Cpper

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about 2 months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.