Gold leaf making developed in a castle town
The city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture produces more than 99% of the gold leaf made in Japan for decorative or religious items. Gold beating flourished because high humidity in the local climate suppresses the generation of static electricity, which interferes with production, good quality local water favored the production of paper needed during gold beating, and because local people have the temperament to stick through to the end of the exacting process.
During the 260 years of military rule by the Tokugawa Shogunate from 1603, when gold was strictly controlled and permission for production was not granted to places other than Edo (Tokyo) or Kyoto, local production was suspended. When Kanazawa Castle burned down in 1808, however, because a large amount of gold leaf was needed for its reconstruction, the zealous leading merchants of Kanazawa successfully petitioned the Shogunate to permit production again, and the craft was revived in Kanazawa. After production in Edo ceased, the city’s market share gradually increased through the second half of the 19th century and, these days, Kanazawa gold leaf is even sought by overseas artisans.
The delicate craft skills of artisans bring out a special brilliance
In business since 1919, Gold Leaf Sakuda still draws on inherited knowledge of how to beat gold to ultimate thinness while still retaining its brilliant shine. Using pure gold alloyed with a little silver and copper, we make gold leaf by rolling strips of gold and then beating sections of strips between washi paper made especially for the process. Through many stages, the foil is beaten to reduce its thickness to only 0.0001 or 0.00012 mm-gold leaf so thin that you can see light through it.
As featured in the Michelin Blue Guide, at the main store you can see artisans at work and, using gold leaf to create an original work, try your hand at gilding. Among the items offered in direct sale, our products run from glittering gilded craft items through to cosmetics containing gold leaf and food with gold leaf.
Gold Leaf Sakuda Co., Ltd. Main Store
- Address
- 1-3-27 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Pref.
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (varies by season)
- Closed
- Open daily
- Cost
- Entry, free of charge; gilding experience (pair of wooden chopsticks), from 600 yen
- Phone
- +81-76-251-6777
- Access
- Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Hashiba-cho bus stop of bus going via Hashiba-cho from Kanazawa Station East Exit Bus Terminal.
Approximately 10 minutes by car from Kanazawa-higashi Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway - Web site
- http://goldleaf-sakuda.jp/en/
