玉川堂－新潟県燕市
Tsuiki-doki (鎚起銅器) ★★★
Gyokusendo, a longstanding copperware manufacturing company, has been in operation for over 200 years in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, inheriting the traditional metalworking technique of "tsuiki-doki" or "hand-hammered copperware" (鎚起銅器), where artisans shape copper sheets by repeatedly striking them with hammers and other tools.
Artisans at Gyokusendo sit on blocks made of Japanese zelkova, using a tool called "tori-guchi" (鳥口）to repeatedly strike copper plates and meticulously shape them by hand. This process, predominantly manual, results in subtly different outcomes even for identical products. While the dimensions of the products are standardized, there are no blueprints, instead, the knowledge is passed down through the artisans' expertise.
Kuchi-uchidashi（口打出）★★★
Of particular note is the technique of "kuchi-uchidashi" (口打出) or "raising the mouth," where, in contrast to the conventional method of creating the main body and spout separately for a kettle, "kuchi-uchidashi" involves raising both from a single copper sheet simultaneously. This highly advanced skill requires over 15 years of mastery, but the resulting products shine with the artisan's craftsmanship, becoming cherished items for many.
History ★★★
Gyokusendo boasts a history dating back to 1816, with its origins tracing back to the Edo period when itinerant craftsmen from Sendai transmitted the technique of "tsuiki-doki" to Tsubame. Initiated by the first generation, Tamagawa Kakubei（玉川覚平衛）established the business. The region was historically abundant with copper mines, contributing to a high-quality copper supply. The tradition of "tsuiki-doki" has been passed down, and Gyokusendo employs a distinctive method involving heating copper to soften it, applying individualized coloring, and ultimately completing the product.
Worldwide Acclaim ★★★
Their copperware, recognized for its quality and longevity while enhancing daily life, receives acclaim not only domestically but also internationally. With directly managed stores in Tokyo's Aoyama and GINZA SIX, Gyokusendo's philosophy of business management and commitment to traditional craftsmanship offer valuable insights into the future of Japan's traditional crafts industry.
H. Koshika
Apro Travel Japan
Email info@aprotraveljapan.com
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Photos: ©Gyokusendo Co., Ltd.
玉川堂（ぎょくせんどう）は新潟県燕市に２００年以上続く銅器製造の老舗企業で、銅板をハンマーやそのほかの道具で繰り返し叩くことで形づくる「鎚起銅器（ついきどうき）」の伝統技術を受け継いでいます。
職人は、ケヤキでできたにブロックの上に座り、鳥口（とりぐち）と呼ばれる当て金を使って銅板を何度も叩き、形をつくり上げていきます。この過程は手作業が主体であり、同じ商品でも微妙に異なる出来上がりとなります。製品の寸法は決まっていますが、図面は存在せず、職人の頭の中に技術が受け継がれています。
特に注目すべきは、「口打出（くちうちだし）」の技術で、通常の湯沸は本体と注ぎ口を分けて製作するのに対し、口打出では一枚の銅板から本体と注ぎ口を同時に打ち出していきます。この技術は非常に高度で、習得には１５年以上かかりますが、その分製品は職人の技術が光り、一生ものとして多くの人々から愛されています。
玉川堂は、１８１６年に始まる長い歴史を有し、その発端は江戸時代に仙台の渡り職人が燕に鎚起銅器の技術を伝え、初代の玉川覚兵衛が商売を始めたことにさかのぼります。この地域はかつて銅山があり、銅の良質な供給源となっていました。その後も鎚起銅器の伝統は受け継がれ、玉川堂は独自の製法で、銅器に火をくべて柔らかくし、最終的には独自の着色を施して製品を完成させています。
彼らの銅器は高級品でありながらも、長寿命かつ日々の生活に彩りを添えるものとして評価され、東京の青山やGINZA SIXに直営店を構え、国内外で広く支持されています。その経営哲学や伝統工芸の姿勢は、日本の伝統工芸産業の未来を考える上で重要な示唆を与えています。
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