Official
The traditional techniques that you encounter at "Hokuza" Coredo Muromachi 1
Gold leaf manufacturing technology has been registered with UNESCO Intangible Cultural Property.
In the past, Japanese culture registered with UNESCO Intangible Cultural Property includes Kabuki, Noh, Japanese paper and traditional festivals. Last year, "Traditional Techniques of Traditional Craftsmen: Traditional Techniques for Inheriting Wooden Buildings" was added (December 2020).
Why was gold leaf manufacturing technology selected as "traditional technology for inheriting wooden buildings"? If you look at Chuson-ji Temple Kinjido, you can see it at a glance. A gold leaf called "Entsuki Kinpaku" is indispensable for the restoration of national treasures and important cultural properties such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto), Nishi Honganji Temple (Kyoto), Kanazawa Nishi Betsuin (Ishikawa). Because it is difficult to acquire the manufacturing technology, the government is trying to protect it by designating it as a “selection preservation technology”.
※The photo shows the golden tea room of the "Hakuza Honten" (Kanazawa), which uses about 40,000 rim gold leaf.
Nihonbashi Honishi-cho, where the Bank of Japan is located. There used to be Edo-Konza.
It is old that gold leaf was made in Kanazawa, and there is a book that Maeda Toshiie ordered the production of gold leaf in 1593. About 100 years later, the 5th Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa will set up a foil seat to control the production and distribution of foil. After the death of Tsunayoshi, when the foil was dissolved, the right to manufacture gold leaf was taken over by Koza. Meanwhile, Kanazawa continued to make gold leaf to inherit the manufacturing technology, and when Edo shogunate collapsed, the technology cultivated has blossomed, and now all of the Japanese gold leaf is made in Kanazawa.
"Hakuza Nihonbashi" is headquartered in Kanazawa at Muromachi 1-chome across two main streets from the Bank of Japan. Nihonbashi, where Edo-Konza was once used, is a special place for "Hakuza".
The "golden sky" wrapped in gold leaf light
There is a golden sky finished with about 16,000 gold leaf in the store of "Hakuza Nihonbashi" on the first floor of Coredo Muromachi 1. You can put it freely inside, so why not try drifting a different space for a while?
Inside the store, tableware, lacquerware, cosmetics, accessories and food with various gold leaf are sold.
The red cobblestone of the Goto family who managed the celestial seat
Koza began when Ieyasu invited a goldsmith from Kyoto, Shozaburo Goto, to cast an oval. The first Eitaro, who was invited to the Goto family villa (the correct kanji of "ro" is not displayed on the font. Please see the characters in the image above), Eitaro Hosoda liked Sado's red cobblestone that was there, and took over the villa. The red cobblestone is displayed in front of "Eitaro Sohonpo" (Nihonbashi 1-chome). It is said that it is known as "Eitarou's red cobblestone" among lovers.
※At the Money Museum (next to the Bank of Japan), you can learn about the history of Koza, and Oval and Oval are displayed. 1-3-1 Nihonbashi Honishicho Admission Free Monday Closed (Open if Monday is a national holiday)
Eitaro Sohonpo and "Hakuza" collaborate.
A collaboration between "Hakuza" and Eitaro includes a one-size Kintsuba / Oval Kintsuba, Gold Foil Honey Candy, Eitaro Candy, and Kinpaito.
The Goto family of Koza-Eitaro Sohonho-Kinfoil foil is a connection that makes you feel the history. It seems that the number of one size Kintsuba and Oval Kintsuba set (1404 yen) is limited, so please contact "Hokza Nihonbashi" before going out.
03-3273-8941 Get off at Metro Mitsukoshimae on the 1st floor of COREDO Muromachi, 2-2-1 Nihonbashi Nihonbashi Muromachi Eitaro Sohonbu Nihonbashi 1-2-5
※We received permission to use images from the public relations department of Hakuza.