Wood-Grain Metal Tea Caddy (Chaki)
Sako Ryūhei is known for mokume-gane, a technique in which several metals are used to create effects resembling wood-grain patterns. Layers of copper, gold, silver, and other alloys are forged and deposited in a single thick billet, which is then incised from the top. When the irregularities are hammered flat, the characteristic patterns form. He earned his master’s degree in 2002 from Hiroshima City University’s Department of Design and Applied Arts.
Artwork Details
- 杢目金茶器
- Title: Wood-Grain Metal Tea Caddy (Chaki)
- Artist: Sako Ryuhei 佐故龍平 (Japanese, born 1976)
- Period: Reiwa (2019–present)
- Date: 2020
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Silver, copper, copper and silver alloy (shibuichi), and copper and arsenic alloy (kuromidō)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Gift of Hayashi Kaoru, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2020
- Object Number: 2020.76.11a, b
- Rights and Reproduction: © Sako Ryuhei
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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