Kirikane
2026 Society of Gilders Conference, with Dao Huy Hoang
3 full days: Wednesday -Friday June 17-19
Kirikane is a part of Japanese Buddhist art that uses precious metal leaf to decorate the garments of Buddhist statues. Originating from the Tang Dynasty in China, Kirikane flourished as Buddhism spread into Japan from 11th to 13th centuries. During the Muromachi and Edo periods, convenient gold paint made from gold powder became more popular. The artist Sayoko Eri (1945–2007), who was designated a Living National Treasure in 2002, played a vital role in reviving this art form in the modern world. She elevated Kirikane to new heights well beyond its religious context with many contemporary decorative works such as tea utensils, wooden boxes and interiors.
Technically, Kirikane means “cut gold.” Four to six sheets of gold leaf are fused together by heating them over binchōtan charcoal, then cut with a bamboo knife on a special cushion made of deerskin. Cutting the gold requires extreme concentration and precision, as each strip is sliced into narrow lines only 0.3–1 mm wide. Finally, the gold is applied to wood or paper using two brushes and an adhesive made from animal glue mixed with seaweed. Wooden surfaces are often painted with mineral pigments to create vivid , striking colors.
In the practice of Kirikane, beginners always start with a square divided into nine parts, inspired by the Mandala. Intersecting gold and silver lines represent convergence; achieving a perfectly straight gold line—harder than anything else—symbolizes enlightenment; and the tiny diamond shapes represent Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (Bosatsu).
In this workshop, we will explore the art of Kirikane by creating a complex Mandala-inspired pattern using various types of precious metal leaf.
Activities in class:
- How to make Kirikane tools (gold leaf cushion, bamboo knife)
- How to bake gold leaf/silver leaf
- How to cut gold/silver stripes
- How to prepare adhesive from animal skin and seaweed glue
- How to prepare the background for Kirikane
- How to apply gold/silver stripes on a design
Please self-prepare and bring following materials to the class:
- Pencil, ruler, eraser
- Compass
- Paper knife (olfa-type)
- Xacto knife
- Blank white paper (A4 or Letter size) 20 sheets
- Black paper (A4 or Letter size) 10 sheets
- Water container
- 2 small sauce dishes
- Electric iron (which will be used to “bake” the gold leaf instead of using charcoal)
Class Fee
March 1 – April 15 early reg: (SOG members only ) $810.
April 16 – May 15 open/late registration : $870.
Maximum: 10 students
Included Materials
- Japanese Gold leaf 22K: 10 sheets (large size Japanese leaf 100×100 mm)
- Japanese Silver leaf: 10 sheets (120×120 mm)
- Tools to make Kirikane cushion: Chamois leather, square wood board (about180x180x20mm), metal nails
- Bamboo knife
- Gold tweezers
- Mounted paper for practice
- Brushes
- Animal glue and seaweed
- Talc powder
Thanks to Horikin , for sponsoring the Japanese silver leaf provided for this class
Instructor
Dao Huy Hoang
Dao Huy Hoang is a multidisciplinary artist with 15 years of experience in calligraphy, pen making, and traditional Japanese arts such as Urushi (lacquer painting) and Butsuga (Buddhist painting). His artistic path reflects a deep respect for craftsmanship and the harmonization of refined lettering, sacred iconography, and the cultural spirit of East Asian heritage. Hoang’s profound love for Japanese craft traditions has led him to explore Urushi and Butsuga, while integrating Western illumination techniques — particularly precious metal gilding. This East–West synthesis brings a striking visual identity and spiritual nuance to his artworks.
He has held multiple exhibitions in Vietnam and abroad, showcasing calligraphy, illumination, and Japanese Buddhist art, earning notable recognition from the art community and collectors.
Beyond his creative work, Hoang is an active international educator, having taught workshops at various associations and international conferences worldwide, including in the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Peru and countries across Southeast Asia. He travels regularly to Japan to study directly with master artisans, continually refining his craft and contributing to the preservation of traditional arts.
Currently based in Hanoi, Vietnam, Hoang continues his artistic research, handcrafted production, and global teaching, with a mission to celebrate and share the beauty of Asian traditional artistry with the world.
