tsuiki 鎚起
鎚 hammer · 起 raise
Tsuiki is a metalworking technique, a form of tankin (hammered metalwork), in which a metal sheet is shaped by repeated hammering. The repeated blows harden the metal while allowing free forms to be raised; it is used especially for copper and silver tea utensils, flower vessels, and Buddhist implements, prized for the warmth of handwork and the way the surface deepens with use.
After the metal is melted and formed into a sheet, it is hammered into shape using the tsuiki technique to create a seamless piece. The process entails numerous stages and intricate manual work.