From the 6th Century, Japan has been home to traditions of metalwork that set it apart from the west. Temple and Buddhist statue creation form a particular backdrop to how the craft in metal developed.
The most famous areas of metalwork production are known for their hard winters, and association with nature. These areas are renowned for their production of blades (for kitchen knives and scissors), and ironwork kettles.
Skills in metalwork have been passed through generations by the former makers of the blades held by samurai, and remain a source of pride today.
