A Masterpiece: Sprinkled Picture of Art in a Japanese Gyuto Knife

“Sprinkled picture of art in a Japanese Gyuto knife - a masterpiece!” This is probably a layman would describe a knife with a Maki-e art. Maki-e, in Japan, literally means “sprinkled picture”. Applied by using a makizutsu or akebo brush, This is a kind of Japanese lacquer drizzled in gold and silver powder used as an adornment.

The History of Maki-e Making

This Japanese art started from Nara period (710 - 794 CE) while in the Heian period (974 - 1185), it was tailored in Buddhist altar fittings. In Muromachi period (1333 - 1573 CE), Maki-e arts were used to serve court peerage for stationery-making like inkstone cases. But it was not until the Edo period (1603 - 1868) that it bloomed. It was polished over time and became the elegant art that speaks of Japan. Then its reputation was accepted by royal families and armed chiefs to signify their authority.

Artists who want to learn this art usually go through several years of guidance to acquire skills and to eventually, become an experts. A variety of metal powders can be used to come up with different colors and surfaces like with copper, brass, lead, aluminum, platinum, pewter, together their alloys.

The very first lacquer master linked to this kind of arts was Koami Docho (1410 - 1478). He used markings from different Japanese painters in his arts. There are two major schools of lacquer making in the history of Japan and Koami together with another master, Igarashi Shinsai, were its prime movers.

One of the major methods being used in making this was Takamekie (or raised Maki-e). Conceptualized in the Muromachi period, the method of Takamekie includes raising up drawing patterns directly above the surface using a combination of lacquer, metal powder, and charcoal.

When putting a black lacquer without oil on the metal design as an additional coating, that method is called Maki-e Togidashi.

Their art truly represents the Japanese people love for beauty. It is an art that speaks deeply of their culture and somehow gives the world an understanding of the Japanese people in this age of time.

See more Japanese Gyuto Knife beautified with a Maki-e art,
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