VILLAGE Report vol.16 Toyama Prefecture | Takaoka Copperware, a Town That Began with 7 Metal Casters

The second stop in our Chubu series is Toyama Prefecture. Takaoka City in the western part of the prefecture is known as a town of castings made from copper and copper alloys. This time, we visit “Takaoka Copperware,” a craft with more than 400 years of history.

From Kanayamachi in 1611

The beginnings of Takaoka Copperware date back to 1611, the 16th year of the Keicho era. Maeda Toshinaga, the second lord of the Kaga Domain, invited 7 metal casters to help the castle town prosper and had them open casting workshops in Kanayamachi. At first, they made everyday items such as pots, kettles, and farming tools, but over time the craft expanded to Buddhist altar fittings, flower vessels, and more. Even today, Kanayamachi retains the atmosphere of a metal-casters’ town, with townhouses lined by senbon-goshi latticework.

Melting and pouring into molds

Casting is a technique in which melted metal is poured into a mold to create a shape. In Takaoka, specialists have traditionally divided the work by process, including model making, casting, finishing, and coloring, to complete each piece. A wide range of items, large and small, are made in Takaoka, from Buddhist altar fittings, tea utensils, and ornaments to large bronze statues and temple bells.

Key Points
・It began in 1611, when Maeda Toshinaga invited 7 metal casters
・Specialist craftspeople divide the work of model making, casting, finishing, and coloring
・They produce everything from Buddhist altar fittings and tea utensils to large bronze statues and temple bells
・In 1975 (Showa 50), it was one of the first crafts designated as a Traditional Craft

One of the first designated crafts

In February 1975 (Showa 50), when the Traditional Craft designation system began, Takaoka Copperware was selected as one of the first designated items. Takaoka remains one of Japan’s leading production areas for copper-alloy castings. For finishing colors, there are many techniques that use chemicals and flame to change the appearance of copper, and even the same shape can give a very different impression depending on its color.

Last time, we featured Tsuiki Copperware from Tsubame in Niigata Prefecture. VILLAGE Report vol.15 Niigata Prefecture is here. It is interesting to compare copperware made by hammering with copperware made by pouring. For highlights of Toyama Prefecture, see the Toyama Prefecture edition of the 47 Prefectures Guide for more. Next time, we will visit Ishikawa Prefecture.

References: Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Toyama Prefecture; Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries

—The Value Village Editorial Team