16 July 2024

Seigado—The Radiant Beauty of Copper

Nestled in Yahiko Village, Niigata Prefecture, the heartland of hammered copperware, Seigado crafts stunning metalworks using traditional patination techniques passed down through generations. Their products, which include sake ware, tea ware and vases, are known for their stunning hues that one would never expect from copper. Recently, Team Musubi had the pleasure of visiting their workshop to witness their intricate production process. This blog post delves into the making of their exceptional metalwork pieces and explores the unique allure of Seigado.

Contents

• Inside the Workshop
• The Evolution of Seigado
• The Colorful Beauty of Copper

Inside the Workshop

Seigado’s workshop is situated at the foot of Mt. Yahiko, a region with a rich history of copper mining since the Edo period (1603 CE–1868 CE). Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the serene atmosphere and rustic charm of the studio in its 30-year-old building. We were warmly welcomed by brothers, Nishikata Ryota and Hiroshi, along with their mother, all of whom greeted us with warm smiles.

We were promptly shown around the studio.

The first floor, designed as a space to welcome guests, was separated from the main working area. During our visit, we were able to observe the production process of chirori sake carafes and teapots all available at our online store.

The manufacturing process consisted of three main steps.

The manufacturing process starts with hammering a single sheet of copper using a technique called shibori. This step involves shaping a flat metal sheet into a vessel using a hammer and an anvil.

One of the metalworking techniques used is called mimikuchi uchidashi, developed by craftsman Sasage Kenjiro from Tsubame City around 1920. This highly advanced method involves shaping a teapot from a single sheet of copper, including the "ear" where the handle is connected and the spout. Typically, the ear and spout are made separately and welded to the body of the teapot. However, with the shibori technique, the craftsman carefully reduces the diameter of the metal sheet while maintaining the spout and ear in place, resulting in a uniquely crafted piece.

Sake ware such as chirori sake carafes and guinomi sake cups are crafted from flat sheets of metal, which are pressed or formed into cylindrical shapes.

Each piece is hand-shaped, resulting in forms that cannot be replicated by industrial production. However, items with a narrow opening, like sake carafes, cannot be removed from molds and thus, require additional handcrafting steps.Although we were not able to actually see the shaping during our visit, we moved on to the next step to observe the hammering process.

In this step, the shaped copper sheet is patterned using an L-shaped stake named torikuchi and various hammers, creating a textured surface.

Looking around the workshop, we noticed three work stands made of tree stumps, known as agari-dai, lined up. One can picture three craftsmen sitting together, working side by side. Upon taking a closer look, we saw small holes in the stumps where tools can be inserted. These tools include the torikuchi, used for shaping the copper sheets, and various hammers for creating the hammered texture. Different hammers are used at each stage of the hammering process, such as the narashi-tsuchi and shibori-tsuchi. Additionally, there is a tool called soko-narashi, used for flattening the bottom of the pieces.

This workspace, resembling a traditional Japanese room, was designed to minimize noise by placing fabric under the tree stumps. Right in front, a window lets in abundant sunlight, creating a perfect space to concentrate.

During our visit, the President Nishikata Ryota demonstrated the hammering of a chirori sake carafe. At first glance, it looked as if he was stretching out the copper sheets by hammering, but he was actually compressing the metal surface. The overlapping hammer marks created a texture that gave each piece its unique character. Watching Nishikata skillfully at work, it was clear that this was no easy task.

As Nishikata continued to work, the sound of the hammer striking the copper sheet resonated throughout the workshop, pleasant and soothing.

After hammering the sake carafe, we also observed the production and welding of a teapot spout using a burner. A sheet of copper was placed against the torikuchi tool fixed on the agari dai, and the craftsman used various hammers and anvils to shape it. This process, which involves carefully adjusting the shape and size of the spout to fit the body, is time-consuming and requires meticulous attention.

The final step is coloring the copper.

Initially, the copper is dipped in a sulfide solution to coat it with an artificial patina. Next, it is polished with an abrasive powder. Each sake vessel is carefully polished with attention to its design and color, sometimes revealing the underlying copper, and polished until it shines. After polishing, following traditional methods, the piece is dipped in a special solution, which further enhances the color.

To achieve the desired coloration, it is essential to consider the temperature, humidity, and time of completion. Additionally, the weather and season can affect the final color, so fine adjustments are made accordingly.

There are several options, ranging from the natural color of the material to traditional patination techniques. For example, silver can be finished to a glossy shine or a matte finish, blackened through sulfide treatment, or colored to a light gray using a special solution. Copper, on the other hand, can be patinated to shades of reddish-brown, golden yellow, or a rich bronze, with the interior often coated with tin.

As tin is fused to the copper body through heating, we were unable to witness this step. Tin has long been used for over 500 years due to its properties that prevent water from spoiling, making it an excellent material for water purification and preservation.

Seigado's tin products primarily consist of sake ware. Despite their appearance, these vessels have a soft texture that fits comfortably in the hand. Tin’s purifying properties enhance the clear flavor of sake, making it a delight for those who appreciate fine alcohol.

The Evolution of Seigado

Seigado continues to innovate while preserving the traditional techniques passed down since the Edo period. According to Nishikata, their unique skills attract not only art students but also international attention, as Seigado's specialized skills are rare outside of Japan.

Seigado’s creations extend beyond hammered copperware.

They also produce metal sculptures and art pieces, which can be viewed in the gallery space on the second floor of the Seigado building. Their collection includes a wide variety of items such as trays, sculptures, and decorative items like cat and bear figures, washbasins, door knobs, trophies, and candle holders. Each piece reflects the fine craftsmanship of metalworking at Seigado while introducing innovative elements. The works demonstrate how Seigado blends tradition with modern artistry, continually evolving while preserving their heritage.

The Colorful Beauty of Copper

Since its founding, Seigado has been dedicated to exploring the coloration and expression of copper materials. They have continuously developed new techniques to improve quality and innovate while preserving traditional methods. One such innovation is the distinctive blue color of copper, known as seiran. The color, rooted in tradition, is so stunning that it’s hard to believe the material is actually copper.

Having had an online meeting with Nishikata about the manufacturing process prior to our visit, we felt well-prepared with some knowledge about hammered copperware. However, seeing the production process firsthand was a completely different experience from what we had imagined.

Witnessing the transformation of a simple metal sheet into Seigado’s finely crafted vessels and everyday utensils, through meticulous hammering and coloring, was both captivating and magical.

Seigado’s products are cherished not only for their practical benefits—such as water purification and heat conductivity—but also for their radiant traditional colors. These qualities make them perfect as gifts. Their handcrafted charm, coupled with a modern aesthetic, seamlessly integrates into daily life, adding elegance to any table setting.