Gilded GlassPlate / Japanese Maple with Running Water

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This decorative plate depicts maple leaves floating on flowing water.
Gold and silver foil is applied to the glass by a special process and sandwiched between resin. It can be used as a plate to place sweets for your important guests, or as a tray put hand towels or toiletries. Please enjoy the craftsmanship, which is made with traditional techniques.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：400 years ago / 1600AD / Edo period in Japan

Kyo-yuzen originated with Miyazaki Yuzenzai, a fan painter (a craftsman who paints pictures on fans) who was active in Kyoto. During the Edo period (1603-1868), a law was issued prohibiting extravagance and calling on people to be thrifty.  As a result, extravagant kimonos with gilding, tie-dyeing, embroidery, etc. were banned. However, it developed "Kyo-yuzen" a colorful and beautiful dyed kimono, which was a cutting-edge fashion that attracted the attention of the masses.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Akihiro Uenaka / Fuzuru Kogei
A craftsman in Kyoto who has been engaged in Kyo-yuzen gold-printing for more than 30 years. He has been applying gold leaf to bags, plates, and various other items, hoping to pass this technique on to future generations in a different form.

Craftsman Passion

"Sometimes it's important to put aside the opinions of others and stick to your own beliefs"
I thought that the craft and kimono industry would decline in the future and that I should start something new. So I began creating original works. At the time, people around me told that "You don't have to do that" and "Just do the work in front of you", but I trusted my instincts and started creating my works. As I did so, I received support from many people, recognition increased, and my main business also began to be appreciated. I realized the importance of keeping my faith.

Achievement

Certified as an authorized craftsman of Kyo-Mono in 2008
Selected for the National Traditional Crafts Exhibition
He has received many other awards for their work.

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

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

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

As written above, craftsmen have not controlled the last phase of the sales channel resulting in the 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 the above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from the below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Length：12cm
Width : 27cm
Thickness : 0.3cm
Weight : 156g

Material & Caution

Materials

Glass
Pure gold leaf
Silver foil
Rubber

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 a month for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.