About Shippō
七宝は、金属の素地の上にガラス質の釉薬をのせて模様をつくり焼きつける伝統工芸技法です。
| What is Shippō (cloisonné enamel)? |
The word "七宝" (shippō) means seven treasures: gold, silver, lapis lazuli, coral, amber, giant clam, and agate. The term refers to beautiful ceramics resembling these seven treasures. Shippō is made by applying silver wires and glass glaze to metal vessels to create patterns, which are then fired in an electric furnace. The glaze melts, solidifies on the surface like glass, and the piece is completed. This technique, unique to Japan, has been developed to create splendid and beautiful shippō artworks.
In the creation of cloisonné, glaze is used to add color. Pigments that provide the color are added to a glass-like material and melted at high temperatures. Once cooled, the mixture is placed in a mortar, finely crushed, and sifted to create individual colors. This is referred to as glaze.
| Techniques |
[Yūsen shippō (wire cloisonné)]
A method of erecting silver wires in bands to demarcate colors. This is the basic method for creating cloisonné artworks.
Making Process of Yūsen shippō
1. Create the shape of the vessel with copper or silver
2. After firing the base glaze, set up silver wires according to the pattern and fire them
3. Apply enamel within the pattern delineated by silver wires
4. Fire in an electric furnace at around 850 degrees, polish with a whetstone to finish
[Shōtai shippō (“lost-base” plique-à-jour)]
Made using the same method as yūsen shippō, but the copper part of the vessel is melted away using acid, leaving only the cloisonné enamel on the surface. In cloisonné work, the metal part that forms the base of the vessel is called "胎 (tai)". This technique is named shōtai because it eliminates the "tai" or the base metal.
Making Process of Shōtai shippō
1. Place silver wires on a copper base, apply glaze
2. After firing, apply a vinyl chloride resin to protect the surface
3. Dissolve the copper base in acid. Remove the protective film, polish to complete!
["Muddy" Cloisonné]
Opaque cloisonné that looks like matte mud. Brass wire is used to demarcate colors instead of silver wire.
＜Source: "What is Traditional Kōgei?” Edited by Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch / Published by Unsodo, P.64,65>
