Japanese Metalwork

The Japanese art of metalwork is famous all over the world. Unequalled are bronze casting (originating in the lateYayoi period 250 B.C. - 250) and forging of swords, two of the most popular branches in the art of metalwork. Some objects, such as the dotaku (bell-shaped bronzes), mirors (qing-bai and zhao-ming type) and arms (bronze swords and spearheads), all dated yayoi period, are obviously created under Chinese influence.   During the Kofun period (250 - 538) the iron armour (tanko) became popular. Also other military equipment, made of iron or bronze, gained popularity (horse saddles, stirrups, sword pommels, helmets…). It was in the Asuka period (538 - 644), when the Buddhist culture was introduced to Japan, that the metal production made a new turn. Especially ritual implements and religious objects such as kyoozoo (mirrors with engraved images of deities) and kakebotoke (pendent plaques with relief images of deities) were products of this period. The first Buddhist statues also originate from this period. The peak of metal art dates from the Nara period. The Amida Buddha culture was wide spread. The Chinese influence on the magnificent statues, the ceremonial plates and dishes, the bells, … was very clear. From that point on there is no evolution in the art of metal work, although the Japanese continued to make impressive and high quality objects. Mainly because of the high production costs only the temples and the wealthy could afford themselves bronze works. The forging of swords continuously improved and today the Japanese are still renowned for their koto, shinto and shinshinto swords. Two other periods have been of great importance for the evolution of metal works. During the Edo period (1603 - 1868) the art of bronze casting evolved to the making of decorative objects and no longer religious objects. The Western influence and the technological progress lead during the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) to technically perfect objects of very high quality. They belong to the best bronze products of the world.