Akita silver wire craftsmanship involves twisting thin pure silver wires together to create multiple spirals and wavy parts, which are then combined to form shapes.
Metalworking is one of Akita's representative traditional crafts, and during the Edo period, the Akita Domain developed mines and metalworking flourished in the castle town. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, Akita's mines were among the largest in Japan in terms of gold and silver production, and there were many metalwork artisans, but with the decline of the mining industry, the number of metalwork artisans dropped sharply and the craft gradually fell into disuse.
In the Heisei era, Akita Silver Wireworks also struggled with a problem of finding successors, with fewer than 10 craftsmen remaining in Akita Prefecture. But in 2019 , three women of different generations suddenly appeared, teamed up, and opened the Yadome Engraving Studio.
We spoke to factory manager Matsuhashi Tomoko, deputy workshop manager Kobayashi Miho, and Takami Kasumi about the journey to opening the workshop, the appeal of Akita silver wire crafts, what they are doing to pass it on to the next generation, and future challenges.
The meeting of these three people determined the fate of Akita Silver Wire Crafts
-- Artist Interview --
Please tell us how the three of you came to team up.
Takahashi: "It all started when I met Matsuhashi at the "Northern Brilliance: A Silver Wirework Exhibition" held by the Akita Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2018. An artisan from another genre who is contributing to Akita's manufacturing industry introduced me to Matsuhashi, with a strong desire to connect Akita Silver Wirework to the future. Kobayashi happened to be at the venue as a visitor, and was a former colleague of Matsuhashi at a jewelry store that manufactured and sold Akita Silver Wirework, so the three of us decided to start the business.
I graduated from the Graduate School of Multidisciplinary Arts at Akita University of Art in 2019 and started working as a craftsman at the Yatome Engraving Studio, learning techniques from two of my seniors. I first encountered Akita silver wirework when I was in junior high school at a workshop organized by Akita Municipal College of Arts and Crafts (now Akita University of Art), the predecessor of Akita University of Art. I then entered the Akita University of Art and Crafts High School and learned the basic techniques of the craft. I went on to Nagaoka University of Design in Niigata, but my seminar teacher highly praised my silver wirework, saying, "Akita has amazing techniques," so when I returned to Akita and faced Akita silver wirework, I felt even more possibilities for expression.
Kobayashi: "My first encounter with silver wirework was when I was in junior high school and was moved by the works I saw on display at the Akita Furusato Mura. After graduating from the Akita Municipal College of Arts and Crafts High School and the Akita Municipal College of Arts and Crafts, I worked at a jewelry store that manufactured and sold Akita silver wirework, where my colleague, Matsuhashi-san, taught me the techniques. After I left the store, I met Matsuhashi-san again through an acquaintance, and we decided to work together to promote Akita silver wirework, as there was a shortage of craftsmen."
Matsuhashi: "After graduating from the design department of an art college, I worked in the manufacture of Akita silver wirework at a long-established jewelry store in Akita for 35 years, striving to master and improve my skills. After that, I was reminded of the current situation at the Akita Silver Wirework Exhibition: The Brilliance of the North, and decided to tackle the problem. With only a handful of craftsmen in Akita City, it was difficult for me to take the first step on my own, but I was very fortunate to meet two people aspiring to become Akita silver wirework craftsmen and people who were willing to cooperate with me through the exhibition.
They are both very reliable people, so I can rely on them very much."
Please tell us about the appeal of Akita silver wire crafts and the difficulties involved in making them.
Matsuhashi: "The shapes are created by twisting together thin pure silver wires that are 0.2 to 0.3 mm thick , and winding them with tweezers and my fingers. Because it's all handmade, the finished product is delicate and beautiful."
Kobayashi: "I think that because pure silver is a soft material and can be used to create intricate designs, there are so many beautiful and intricate pieces left behind. One part of the process of silver filigree work involves a welding process called soldering, but if you apply too much heat, it can melt, so it's important to complete the work in as short a time as possible. The soldering process is very difficult."
Takahashi: "Brazing is certainly difficult, and if you make a mistake you have to start over from scratch , so it's a scary job. But being able to make a variety of shapes opens up a lot of possibilities. What I find most difficult is coming up with a design proposal. When making an abstract deformation, it's also necessary to imagine what kind of scene you're imagining."
Discovering and nurturing new craftspeople through a silver filigree project at his alma mater
What about the issue of succession?
Takahashi: "We hold monthly workshops for students from the Akita Prefectural University of Art and Design Senior High School, which is our alma mater. Most of the participants are second-year students, who work on their art throughout the year, but some students continue to use their silver filigree techniques even after they have progressed to their third year and are working hard on their graduation projects.
I also work as a part-time instructor at the school, so I am increasing the opportunities for high school students to experience silver filigree work. I would like to support any students who want to become craftsmen."
Are there any challenges or things you want to do in the future?
Matsuhashi: "Until now I've mostly made accessories and small items, but from now on I'd like to try making larger pieces that match the interior, such as objets d'art.
The concept of Yatome Chokin Kobo is to make accessories that can be worn on a daily basis, but I would like to broaden the scope of my designs even further.
Kobayashi: "Akita silver wireworks are mostly accessories, but in the future I would like to try making stationery items as well. Also, I think that maintenance is a strong image that is a bottleneck, so although our workshop is flexible in providing aftercare and repairs, I would like to aim to design and produce products that are as easy as possible for customers to maintain themselves."
Takahashi: "There is an image that Akita silver wire craftsmanship is known for its large brooches, but I want to make it into a familiar jewelry brand that young people can pick up.
We believe that the reason we can not only manufacture standard products, but also handle custom-made and semi-custom orders is because we have three people of different ages and styles. We would like to focus on disseminating information in a way that suits the times, such as through social media, so that we can let many people inside and outside the prefecture know about the activities of Yadome Chokin Kobo.
Matsuhashi: "At Yatome Chokin Koubou, we create items requested by customers, while also working on product development that makes use of the individual characteristics of each member. In addition to our activities within the workshop, we also want to try our hand at individual artistic endeavors and create works, and we hope to exhibit them at exhibitions.
I want to continue to work hard to play a role in creating attractive activities and results together with the local community."
( TEXT : Natsume Kaoru)