3. The Manufacturing Process of Gold Leaf
The production of gold leaf is divided between Zumiya, who makes everything from gold alloy to "Uwazumi", and Hakuya, who makes everything from "Uwazumi" to gold leaf.
In parallel with the work of hammering out the alloy, Hakuya prepares the paper that is indispensable for work.
Hakuya is also responsible for the process of finishing the gold leaf into squares.
- Kane-awase
- Uwazumi
- Kamijikomi
- Haku-uchi
- Shiage
=Enduke-haku (traditional Kanazawa gold leaf) and Dankiri-haku=
There are two types of gold leaf: Kanazawa traditional gold leaf (Enduke-haku) and Dankiri-haku, depending on the difference in the foil-beating paper and the finishing method.
Enduke-haku is made by hammering out the alloy with Japanese paper-filled foil, and finally finishing it into a square with a bamboo frame and leather plate.
To Dankiri-haku, the front and back of glassine paper made from pulp is beaten with carbon-coated paper, and the four sides of foil and foil interleaving paper are cut together with a kitchen knife to finish the gold leaf.