Shinbutsugu-Kazarishi
Divine Object Ornamentation
Metalworkers that inherited the silver working techniques passed down since the Heian period (794-c.1190) were known as “kazarishoku,” meaning “those who work in decoration.” Later, those in the profession of kazarishoku would begin to specialize, some working in metalworking for items worn on one’s body and others primarily producing work for religious paraphernalia. Using a variety of different traditional techniques, these workers no longer strictly work in the field of creating objects used for purely religious purposes but produce work for theatrical stage items, etc.
