Infinite colors produced by Orii.
Patterns that appear as if by magic.
Orii's unique technique of creating a myriad of expressions on a single metal piece by artisan's creativity brings out the its distinctive colors that cannot be found anywhere else.
Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, a town with 400 years of tradition and a wealth of cutting-edge casting technology.
Since its establishment in 1950 as Orii Color Works, Momentum Factory Orii has inherited the traditional techniques of the region and has been engaged in the coloring of various castings, including Buddhist statues, Buddhist bells, tea utensils, and arts and crafts.
The term "coloring" does not mean painting.
It is a traditional technique that utilizes the corrosive nature of copper and brass, and controls the use of chemicals and flame to produce vivid colors.
We have developed the traditional coloring technique, which could only be expressed on cast products, and have succeeded in coloring thin copper sheets of less than 1mm. We pursue the possibilities by focusing on the genuine colors that can be extracted from copper and brass.
Orii artificially generates the characteristics of corrosion and rusting of copper and other metal materials to produce unique textures and colors.
Metal is boiled in a pot containing a mixture of copper sulfate and copper carbonate to produce a color called "Ni-Iro".
The copper base is coated with bran miso (salted rice-bran paste) and baked with a burner. The pattern is created by the burned remains of the bran miso.
Polishing with a "nego-boki," binding of Japanese rice cores. This broom is the only way to produce the shine of Ohaguro color.
