Mokumegane Making #2

After sheets are bonded, next step is to flatten out.



I used power hammer to do this job for the billet shown above.
For smaller billets, this kind of hammer is very useful.
I made this hammer head (weight: approx. 2.7 lb.)　referring to Japanese traditional hammer called "NOBE-ZUCHI".

"NOBE-ZUCHI" is a special kind of hammer for flattening metals.

The gorgeous looking handle was made by my friend E***.

Mokumegane Making #1

Mokume Gane billet making process


This photo shows silver and copper sheets.
I sometimes use shakudo, shibuichi or kuromido in between.



The plates become red hot in the forge.




The billet was made successfully!

size: approx. 3" x 3"

Mokumegane #09

Mokume Gane study piece #09 (This piece is still in progress.)

Composed of copper and brass (liner: silver)

Size: approx. 2 1/4" dia. H: 2"

Shibuichi - Japanese Traditional Alloy

Shi-bu-ichi is one of Japanese traditional alloy.
Literally, it means 1/4 (one fourth, quarter)

shi - means "four", bu - means "fraction" and ichi- means "one"

In old days, this alloy was containing around 25% silver, and that's why it was named "shibuichi", I suppose.

There are other kind of shibuichi called "gyaku-shibuichi" (reverse ratio of silver/copper) and "kuro-shibuichi" (contains more silver).

Shibuichi

"Shibuichi" is sometimes used in mokume gane billet.
It's very hard and yet malleable longer than other metals after annealing.

This photo was taken right after pickling.

dia. approx. 3"

Mokumegane #08

This is a mokume gane process photo.

While working on a mokume gane billet, the surface develops oxidation. (becomes black)

After pickling, it gets clean and copper part turns beautiful salmon pink.
Not so many people have a chance to see the process of Mokume Gane making like this,
so, I’d like to share it with you.

Shakudo - Japanese Traditional Alloy

*Shakudo - Japanese tradiotional alloy which contains
3% to 5% of gold.

Literally, "Shaku" means red and "Do" means copper.

Sometimes it's a "shop secret" how much and
what they mix in.

Among Japanese metal craftsmen,
3% gold-shakudo is called "Sambu-sashi" and
5% gold-shakudo is called "Gobu-zashi".

These are the most common shakudo in Japan.
The alloy contains more gold has different names, not shakudo.
For example, 15% gold is called "murasaki-gane".

"murasaki" means purple and "gane" means metal.

Mokumegane #07

Mokume Gane Study pieces #07

Composed of silver, copper and shakudo

Size: approx. 1 3/4" x 1/4" x H1/4"

Both sides have similar patterns.

Mokumegane #06

Mokume Gane study pieces #06

Composed of silver and copper






square: approx. 1" x 3/4"
triangle: approx. 1 3/4" x 1/2"

The pattern on the triangular one was not developed as I expected.

Mokumegane #05

Mokume gane study pieces #05

Composed of silver and copper

L: approx. 8 1/4"

Mokumegane #04

Mokume gane study pieces

"Twisted"



Composed of fine silver, copper and shakudo

Mokumegane #03

Mokume Gane

"The Galaxy"

convexed disc
composed of silver and copper

diameter: approx. 8 1/2"

Mokumegane #02

Mokume gane study piece #02

Composed of copper & silver


w: approx. 3/8"

Mokumegane #01

This is just the study piece of mokume gane.

Composed of fine silver, copper and shakudo
(before patination)

size: approx. 1 1/4 x 2 3/8

Santa Cruz Open Studio 2006

Three Metal Artists in One Studio!

Paul, Jim and I are hosting Open Studio 2006 in October.

#278, #279 & #280


Address: 237 Kearney St., Watsonville CA 95076

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Dynamic woven rings, fountains, adorable tiny animals, mokumegane, religious jewelry and much more are waiting for you.

Please come and visit us!