HAKUZA NIHONBASHI, a gold leaf specialty store at COREDO Muromachi 1, which has the concept of "living with gold leaf," has been renovated this spring and has evolved into Shops you can experience even more the charm of gold leaf.

We don't often come into contact with the world of gold leaf in our daily lives. We will explore the "power of gold leaf" that is not only used in glamorous occasions, but also in our daily lives, from fashion to interior design, and brings us uplifting memories!

Basic knowledge of foil and how to make it

When you think of gold leaf, many people may think of gold leaf, but gold leaf is a general term for thinly rolled out metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and aluminum. They are often used to decorate traditional arts and crafts.

The most well-known type of foil is "gold foil." It is actually not just made of pure gold, but is generally made of an alloy of silver and copper. There are 24-karat gold foils, but the most widely available at present is the No. 4 color standard, which is made from an alloy of 94.43% gold, 4.90% silver, and 0.66% copper.

Gold leaf is used not only in traditional crafts, but also in a variety of items that suit modern LIFE.

There are two methods for manufacturing gold leaf: "bordered gold leaf" and "cut-off gold leaf." Bordered gold leaf has a history of over 400 years and is a method unique to Japan that is now only produced in Kanazawa. Cut-off gold leaf, on the other hand, was developed around 1970 and is the mainstream method today because it can be mass-produced efficiently.

The traditional process of making gold leaf with borders begins with preparing special handmade Japanese paper as the gold leaf paper, which takes about six months. 1700 to 1800 sheets of this gold leaf paper are bundled together, gold alloy is sandwiched between them, and the paper is beaten and stretched to a thickness of 1/10000 mm. It is so thin that an alloy the weight of a 5 yen GYOKU can be stretched to the size of about one tatami mat (converted), and it is the aforementioned gold leaf paper that makes this possible. Once you have mastered the preparation of the gold leaf paper, you are not truly a master. It takes an astonishing 10 years of training.

The character "bara" stamped on the gold leaf paper is IN for alternating the grain of the paper. Apparently, craftsmen would also include their favorite things, or in the past, the name of a favorite geisha.

By the way, after it had finished its use as foil-beating paper, the craftsmen would put the paper they made in their pockets and give it to the geisha in the teahouse district. This paper was also called "bathroom paper" because wiping with it left you feeling refreshed, just like after taking a bath, and it was so highly valued that it became the origin of the modern-day "oil blotting paper."

Bordered gold leaf is a cultural asset that is an indispensable skill for restoring national treasures and important cultural properties, and was designated a nationally selected preservation technique in 2014 and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2020. Efforts are needed to preserve this tradition for future generations.

Hakuza's flagship Shops" HAKUZA NIHONBASHI"

HAKUZA NIHONBASHI is the flagship Shops of Hakuza, which has its headquarters and workshop in Kanazawa and handles everything from gold leaf production to leaf processing and sales. Based on the concept of "Living with gold leaf," the store offers the special feeling and uplifting feeling that gold leaf, which has been cultivated over a long history, brings.

The cash register counter on the left is covered entirely in silver leaf, giving it a unique look created by the sulfurization process.

The first thing you see when you enter Shops is the giant, shining, golden cylinder known as the "Golden Sky." It has been there since the shop opened 13 years ago and can be considered the symbol of HAKUZA NIHONBASHI. The outside is Hakuza's original pure gold and platinum leaf, an alloy of gold and platinum, while the inside is made of Gold Leaf No. 1 Color, which has the same alloy ratio as that used at Kinkaku-ji Temple. A craftsman applies approximately 16,000 sheets of gold leaf to a standard 10.9cm square on the spot. Be sure to go inside and take in the infinite energy of gold leaf. Of course, photography is also allowed!

"Golden Sky" was completed by craftsmen involved in the restoration of national treasures and important cultural properties.

A variety of colorful leaf designs are displayed on the walls. HAKUZA NIHONBASHI carries around 100 different types of leaf! They range from gold leaf to silver leaf, copper leaf, brass leaf, and colored silver leaf.

Hakuza's concept of "Living with foil" embodies our desire to propose ways in which foil can be used to enrich the soul in our modern lives.

When you think of gold leaf, you may think of a "Kanazawa souvenir," but we want to propose things that people will actually want for themselves, things that can be used in modern LIFE. We want people to feel elated and happy by incorporating gold leaf into their daily lives, not just on special occasions.

Gold leaf has been used at shrines and temples, and has a history of accompanying people's prayers and wishes. This is why gold leaf must be the core of our craftsmanship, and our craftsmanship comes to life precisely because of gold leaf. Our utmost priority is to properly convey the value of gold leaf and pass it on to future generations, including the skills of our craftsmen.

4 Recommended Items from HAKUZA NIHONBASHI

We will introduce some of our most popular products selected from our wide range of products, from fashion to living and food.

01. Accessories

Bangles: 12,100 yen each (tax included)

Accessories made with gold leaf, such as necklaces, earrings, and bangles, are always popular. There are many repeat customers and customers who look forward to the new products. The items have a luxurious feel and can be enjoyed as fashion items, from formal to casual, with the beauty of gold leaf.

Another appealing feature is that it is lighter than metal accessories. Because it is made from real gold leaf, it has a beautiful shine, but is also very light, so you won't get tired even if you wear it all day.

02. Vessel

Small plates: top and bottom left: 5,830 yen each (tax included), top and bottom right: 6,270 yen each (tax included)

The plates have a rich expression, created by applying a unique process to the foil. We have a wide selection of tableware with designs that are easy to use not only for special occasions, but also for everyday use.

03. Cosmetics

The Beauty of Hakuza: From 4,400 yen (tax included) *Trial sets are also available.

Gold leaf is a material that has been gaining attention in the beauty industry. Hakuza's beauty items are also loved by many repeat customers. This basic skincare product, "Hakuza no Bi," contains platinum-containing beauty leaf that Hakuza created from a beauty perspective. Together with the beauty and moisturizing ingredients in the cosmetics, it refines the skin texture and makes it lustrous and radiant.

04. Gourmet

Eitaro Sohonpo set 4,374 yen (tax included)

There is also a wide lineup of foods that use gold leaf. There are a variety of gold leaf for cooking that adds a gorgeous touch to food, as well as sweets, seasonings, alcohol, and other products that are made with an emphasis on appearance as well as taste. Gold leaf itself has no taste, but its shine is one of a kind. It is so beautiful that it seems a shame to eat it, and is recommended for entertaining guests and as a gift.

"Haku WORKS" where you can order foil processing

HAKUZA NIHONBASHI also houses a showroom for custom-made foil processing, "Haku WORKS."

HAKU WORKS is Services that suggests new possibilities for foil expression in space, made possible by HAKUZA, which has its own foil factory and foil processing studio and has cultivated know-how in products that use foil.

At HAKU WORKS, we offer two plans: full order and custom order. For full order, we propose the best design based on the combination of material and foil, and match the project, space, concept, and other conditions. The power of foil brings out the charm of the space. It is mainly used in hotel interiors and displays at commercial facilities.

Samples of foil WORKS. Combining techniques and types of foil creates a variety of expressions.

For custom orders, we offer "foil art panels" that will become the focal point of your space. You can order an art panel in your desired combination from four techniques, six foil types, and three panel sizes. Prices start from 55,000 yen (tax included) for a 300 x 300 mm size. Please feel free to contact us!

"Foil art panels" can also be enjoyed as interior decoration.

Michel Bach, a popular Western confectionery shop in Shukugawa, Hyogo, will be appearing

Finally, we will introduce "Michel Bach," which has been much talked about since its new opening as an in-Shops at HAKUZA NIHONBASHI. This popular Western-style confectionery shop in Shukugawa, Hyogo, has been in HAKUZA NIHONBASHI for several months, and even now, there are still RA行the morning!

The relationship with Michel Bach has continued since the opening of HAKUZA NIHONBASHI in 2010. They have worked together on product development and have held special cafe events every year. And now, their long relationship has led to this latest project. They say they hope to continue working together on exciting projects in the future, so stay tuned!

Akiko Kitajima, Director of HAKUZA NIHONBASHI