Gyokusendō: Workshop Visit & Conversation

玉川堂

Image: GYOKUSENDŌ

The highly distinguished Gyokusendō workshop in Tsubame in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture has produced hand-hammered tsuiki copperware - formed by the hammering and beating of a single sheet of copper - for over 200 years.

As part of London Craft Week 2020, Japan House London offers participants a special opportunity to take an online live guided tour of the Gyokusendō workshop and showroom in Tsubame. Learn about the workshop’s long and prestigious history and the tsuiki copper-hammering technique which has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.

There will be an opportunity for guests to ask questions to the speakers during this live online event.

About the speakers

Gyokusendō was founded in 1816 in Tsubame in Niigata Prefecture. For over 200 years the family-run workshop has produced hand-hammered tsuiki copperware. The tsuiki metalworking technique of Gyokusendō is designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and a sixth-generation master craftsman Tamagawa Norio (1942-) was designated a ‘Living National Treasure’ in 2010.

For more information on Gyokusendō read our Story or visit the Gyokusendō website.