Hakuichi

Kanazawa accounts for over 98% of Japan's gold leaf production. Gold leaf is used in temples and shrines with high historical value such as Kinkakuji and Nikko Toshogu, as well as in a variety of crafts such as lacquerware and pottery. Along with the 36 traditional crafts that have been passed down since the time of Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga domain, gold leaf has also evolved. How did gold leaf develop in Kanazawa despite the ban on gold leaf stamping issued by the Shogunate? We will introduce the history of gold leaf and the manufacturing process, including the cultural encouragement of the Maeda family and how it was influenced by the climate of Hokuriku.