448 ART INDUSTRY AND RELATED OCCUPATIONS. 



number of divergent rays fall on the mirror and are projected upon 

 a white wall. In this way the forms of the figures and designs 

 are seen sharply outlined in a bright light, while they are not to 

 be found on the surface of the mirror. 



Shiro-kane-dzaiku/ i.e. white metal work, is the collective name 

 for the many small metallic ornaments which were used formerly 

 for the decoration of swords, Netsukes, and many other purposes ; 

 but in modern times are exported and highly prized in Europe as 

 brooches, medallions, cuff-buttons, ear-rings, bracelets, etc. ; for 

 they belong at least in part to the finest works of Japanese art. 

 The care and skill with which these articles are chased and en- 

 graved, incrusted and inlaid, is astonishing and pleasing, and no 

 less the extremely tasteful and effective combination and shading 

 of colours, which our jewellers have not been able to obtain till 

 quite recently. 



SHIKO-KANE MEDALLION. . 



In these Japanese works, the before-mentioned alloys, Shaku-d6 

 and Shibu-ichi, are employed chiefly. The dark blue to dead 

 black of the first, is very uniform and is especially effective as 

 ground work, likewise the silver-grey of the Shibu-ichi. The 

 shading in this work, as in bronze, is best done by a decoction of 

 Kari-yasu. Besides the two mentioned gold and silver alloys, 

 precious metals also in their pure state are used in this work. 

 Goto Yu-j6, who died in 15 13 at the age of seventy-eight, is re- 

 garded as the founder of this school. For a long time the art 

 was employed principally on Menuki and Tsuba for the decoration 

 of sword handles. Shiuraku and Temmin are regarded as the 



^ We sometimes confuse this word with Oki-mono. The Japanese give this 

 name, however, to knicknacks of all kinds, such as little carved figures, larger 

 than Netsukes and not bored through ; also to the lacquered In-ro, or medicine 

 boxes, and many other things. 



