Silver accessories with engraved patterns carved into them with a chisel

The engraving pattern is carved by hand using a chisel.

At IMULTA, all engraving patterns, including silver accessories with carved and set natural stones, are hand-carved.

Hawaiian jewelry is the most well-known form of jewelry with patterns engraved into metal these days, but Japanese metal engraving also has a long history, with decoration involving carving lines into metal said to have originated in the Nara period, before the term "metal engraving" was coined.

Metal engraving techniques that have developed along with Japanese history

The development of metal engraving techniques is thought to have progressed hand in hand with Japanese history, and with the rise of the samurai in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, production of swords, armor and helmets increased and the technique flourished.

Furthermore, it has a long history of use not only as decoration for the battle equipment of the samurai, but also as decorative carvings on temples and shrines, as well as for the decoration of portable shrines and other ritual and Buddhist implements in Japanese religions.

Metalwork decoration permeating into everyday life

As wars ceased through the Kamakura, Muromachi and subsequent Sengoku periods, swords began to take on a more artistic and craft-like role.

Originally, the engraving technique used on samurai swords was called "Okebori" and was only used by people of a certain status.

As times changed, engraving and decoration began to spread to the possessions of ordinary people, known as "machibori."

The Sword Ban Law and Changes in Metalworking

When Japan entered the Meiji era, the sword ban was issued and it became illegal to carry swords.

As a result, sword production dropped significantly and work on engraving and decoration also decreased dramatically.

The number of engravers decreased, but the main objects of decoration changed, such as engraving on pipes and tobacco trays.

Nowadays, engraving techniques are used in Zippo pots and jewelry, and are still used in some traditional crafts such as Buddhist altar fittings.

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