This is a totally new application designed for Art Clay Silver and Copper based on traditional Japanese metalsmithing techniques developed back in 1600s Japan for sword fittings.
Mokume means Wood pattern. Gane means metal alloy made from mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns. To achieve high quality Mokume-Gane in traditional way, it requires substantial training, time consuming making process, and special equipment. The techniques have been inherited by only a few limited artisans, but their beauty has been applied into craft work and jewelry in Japan and has a high reputation overseas.
*Only Art Clay certified instructor is eligible to take the course.
Inlay (Zougan) pendant
A delicate inlay pendant, influenced by Japanese style paintings. A combination of simple design and modernity.
Guri bori (Carving) Brooch
Guri bori (a traditional carved lacquer work-like design) brooch reflecting the origins of Mokume-gane. A simple and elaborate design pattern. Creating designs from multi-layered Art Clay Silver and Copper is a basic method which you can find in many processes of New Mokume-Gane projects. Filing process reveals all different patterns on the surface.
Oil Drop Ring
The expression of an oil drop floating on the water’s surface. A dynamic expression and elegant mood. By pushing part of layered Art Clay Silver and Copper when soft, oil dropped pattern on the water can be represented. Softness of clay enables to achieve the result easily.
Cross Pattern Pendant
The softness of the clay enables you to create a stretched pattern. The contrast of the carved design in sharp outline is the main feature of this project. By bending layered Art Clay Silver and Copper when soft, cross pattern will appear in the desired position. Creating the cross pattern has been known as one of the most difficult expressions in traditional Mokume-Gane method to make.
Marbling Ring
Marbling Mokume-Gane pattern can be presented by maximizing the character of the clay. Created pattern is always different and absolutely one of a kind. Spirit of traditional Mokume-Gane is now presented in a modern style square ring.
Arrow Feather Pattern Pendant
This pattern cannot be created by traditional Mokume-Gane methods. Only clay can create it. Now, you can enjoy Latte Art in your silver and copper creations. The flexibility of the clay will open many doors of new possibilities.
Silver and Copper clay were born from the Art Clay series. The revolutionary features of these 2 materials are fully presented in this instructional booklet, New Mokume-Gane. I was deeply convinced that a new tradition has began when I found projects in this booklet which presented techniques utilizing clay, some of which cannot be imagined by original Mokume-Gane metal-smithing techniques.
I hope more new techniques will spread to the world
from Japan through New Mokume-Gane.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1951 | Born in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. |
| 1971 | Learnt Jewelry making at Tokyo University of the Arts, and its graduate school until 1977. Established MIKI-STUDIO. |
| 1981 | Teaching Jewelry making at Yamanashi Prefectural Institute of Gemology and Jewelry Art until 2000. |
| 2001 | Chairman of the Japan Jewelry Designers Association until 2008. |
| Present | President of MIKI-STUDIO, and part-time teacher at Tokyo University of the Arts. |
This is a new technical variation of Mokume-Gane which can be accomplished by using silver and copper clay, and does not require a very difficult traditional learning process and long experience. A lot of the formation process such as working with solid metal plates and hammering can be done while still in the clay state, and has become much easier.
Moreover, the fact that you can create patterns before firing will bring a lot of possibilities of new designs. In the traditional method, you could stretch the pattern in the same direction by hammering, but with this new technique, you can blend the clay freely so that you can even create partially colored alloys such as Shibuichi*
Tradition has met a new material, and the range of Jewelry design possibilities for everyone will be significantly broadened.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| - | Member of Japan Jewelry Designers Association (JJDA). |
| - | Member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). |
| - | Master of Fine Arts in Metal-smithing & Jewelry Design at Indiana University Graduate School. |
New Mokume-Gane is the application designed for Art Clay Silver and Copper based on traditional Japanese metalsmithing techniques developed back in 1600s Japan for sword fittings. Mokume means Wood pattern. Gane means metal alloy made from mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns. To achieve high quality Mokume-Gane in traditional way, it requires substantial training, time consuming making process, and special equipment. The techniques have been inherited by only a few limited artisans, but their beauty has been applied into craft work and jewelry in Japan and has a high reputation overseas.
Art Clay Club Japan, and AIDA proudly announced our NEW MOKUME-GANE course which utilizes metal clay features and the combined firing of Art Clay Silver and Copper so that you can make unique works in much less time, and with a much easier process that with traditional methods.
