KYOTO, Japan — Yoshinaga Nakamura’s family has specialized in kazari-sho, or metal art, for seven generations. But the items have changed with the times over the last 200 years, and now, as Japan looks forward to welcoming tourists again, he is preparing for the future.
“We used to make decorative parts — metal carvings of various designs and patterns, such as floral and geometric — on the hilt and the sword case for katana,” said Mr. Nakamura, 64, referring to the long, single-edged swords that samurai carried on their hips. “The decorations were a way to express yourself, like fashion.”
Read the full article on The New York Times website or as a PDF.
Comments